St Hilda’s Ampleforth Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

St Hilda's is a friendly school.

Pupils, parents and teachers say that it 'feels like a family'. Everyone knows one another well. Pupils of all ages learn and play together.

They are happy and safe.

Teachers work hard to make sure that every child can do their best. Teachers make learning enjoyable.

They encourage pupils to challenge themselves and to learn from one another. Those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are fully included in the life of the school. Everyone gets the opportunity to play sport as part of a team.

Everyone has the opportunity to learn about the world around them.

In the past, expectati...ons for the youngest children have not been high enough. Some children have not been ready to make a good start in Year 1.

This is changing, but there is still work to do.

Pupils behave well almost all of the time. They show respect for one another and for their teachers.

Sometimes they get too excited and everyone talks at once. But they know it is important to listen and take turns. They respond quickly to reminders.

Bullying is very rare. Parents and pupils told us they would be confident that staff would deal with any concerns.

What does the school do well and what does it need to do better?

Leaders and teachers work hard to ensure that all pupils learn well.

Since the last inspection, leaders have focused on improving learning in reading, writing and mathematics. As a result, more pupils are now able to use and apply their skills to help them learn in other subjects.

Teachers make sure that lessons are interesting.

They encourage pupils to explain their thinking and talk through misunderstandings. They encourage pupils to make links between different subject areas. For example, Year 6 pupils were keen to share the masks they had designed in art.

They also talked knowledgeably about the importance of masks in Mayan culture.

In mathematics, Year 4 pupils recalled what they had already learned about fractions. They used this knowledge to solve problems.

When talking about science, Year 2 pupils were able to recall what they had learned about autumn. Older pupils joined in to explain why these seasonal changes happen. Explanations included appropriate scientific vocabulary and a good grasp of the relationship between sunlight and plants.

Pupils' work also showed how they build an understanding of fair testing. Leaders are writing whole-school plans for all subjects to show how lessons build pupils' knowledge over time. They know this process will take some time to complete.

Leaders have prioritised reading. Leaders trained staff well so phonics teaching improved. Since September, pupils have followed a structured programme.

Most pupils are learning the skills they need to read and spell. Pupils at an early stage of learning to read now have books that include the sounds they know. As a result, pupils are gaining confidence and fluency.

Those who need extra help are well supported. Teachers aim to promote a love of reading. They choose books to engage pupils' interest.

They also make links with learning in other subjects. Some older pupils say they need access to a better range of books to support their learning.

Pupils with SEND are well supported.

Teachers understand their individual needs. Leaders aim to ensure that pupils with SEND access the full curriculum and achieve well.

Children in the early years are well looked after.

They follow classroom routines and behave well. They are confident about taking part in activities. During the inspection, children particularly enjoyed learning in mathematics and listening to stories.

Staff know children well and often adapt their questions for individuals. Teachers do not always provide as much challenge when children are choosing activities independently. Staff sometimes miss opportunities to increase children's vocabulary.

They do not consistently encourage children to extend their thinking when they are playing.

Pupils' personal and social development is at the heart of the curriculum. Leaders have given physical education (PE) a high priority.

Competitive sport and other activities extend social opportunities for pupils. Staff and pupils are clear about how this supports physical and mental well-being. 'Green Gang' encourages pupils to learn about their environment.

Leaders have made links with the National Park to enhance learning. Pupils learn about different faith traditions and different ways of life.

Leaders, including governors, have clear priorities for the school's development.

Governors offer appropriate challenge as well as support. The school works in partnership with other local schools. Leaders have drawn on expertise from these schools and from the local authority.

This has supported professional learning, curriculum planning and assessment.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

Leaders have ensured that safeguarding has a high priority.

Staff and governors are trained to a high standard. Everyone knows what to do if they are concerned about the welfare of a pupil. Although there have been few incidents, staff and leaders are not complacent.

Pupils say that they feel safe in school. They trust the adults in school to help them if they are worried. They know how to stay safe online and in other situations.

They also demonstrate how they help one another to stay safe.

What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

The school's curriculum is not yet planned and sequenced coherently enough in the foundation subjects. However, it is clear that leaders are already taking the actions needed to improve this.

For this reason, the transition arrangements have been applied in this case. Leaders should design a curriculum plan to ensure that pupils in mixed-age classes are able to build their skills, knowledge and understanding of concepts over time. Leaders also need to establish clearly defined end points so that progress can be accurately assessed.

. Leaders are improving the quality and consistency of the teaching of early reading and mathematics in the early years. Improvements to the curriculum for the other areas of learning are at an earlier stage of development.

Leaders should ensure that assessment includes children's comments on their own learning as well as the views of parents. They should ensure that assessment is directly linked to planning for children's next steps in all areas of learning, and that provision delivers appropriate challenge to support independent learning. Interactions between children and adults in the early years should consistently support children to extend their thinking and develop their language.