St Nicholas CofE Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school Good support from the trust has enabled the school to reverse the decline in standards in key stage 2. Teaching has been strengthened and standards have risen considerably from the significant dip in 2016. The early years is a strength of the school.

Effective provision ensures that children get off to a good start, achieve well and are well prepared for Year 1. Good teaching enables pupils to achieve particularly well in phonics. Pupils apply their skills well when reading.

School leaders make effective use of the additional funds they receive to support disadvantaged pupils and pupils who have special educational needs and/or disabiliti...es. Leaders and trustees have a good understanding of the strengths of the school, and where further improvements are needed. Trustees and governors hold leaders to account rigorously.

There is a clear vision and drive for further improvement. However, the school improvement plan is not focused sharply enough on improving outcomes for pupils. In addition, governors have not ensured that all statutory information is on the school's website.

Most pupils in and around the school behave well. They are courteous, friendly and are proud of their school. Staff and pupils get on well together and relationships across the school are positive and supportive.

Due to a legacy of previously weaker teaching, pupils in key stage 2 have not made strong enough progress in mathematics. Current pupils are making better progress. However, in mathematics the most able pupils are not consistently challenged enough.

Many middle leaders are newly appointed to the school and do not yet play a full role in leading school improvement. Most parents report that their children enjoy school, learn well and feel safe. However, some parents expressed concern about how well any incidents of bullying are dealt with.

School documents show that incidents have been appropriately logged and addressed by school leaders. Leaders and governors acknowledge that they need to do more to build the trust and confidence of parents who have had concerns.

information about the impact of the additional funding the school receives for

disadvantaged pupils; the curriculum; pupils' key stage 2 results; the school's accessibility plan and a link to the Department for Education performance tables – ensuring that leaders work to build the confidence and trust of parents who have had concerns about bullying.