Tatham Fells Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school The headteacher, governors and staff have ensured that this small school provides pupils with a good standard of education.

Pupils make good progress in English and mathematics. However, the proportion of pupils leaving key stage 1 who achieve greater depth in reading, writing and mathematics is low. Parents and carers are extremely supportive of the school.

They say that their children are safe and very well cared for. Attendance is good and is consistently above the national average. The behaviour of the pupils is outstanding.

They are polite, well mannered and discuss their learning confidently. The exciting curriculum offers ...pupils many opportunities to develop a range of subject-specific skills well. Many trips, residential visits and sporting activities enable pupils to meet children from other backgrounds.

Pupils are prepared well for life in modern Britain. Good teaching, learning and assessment create strong links between a range of subjects across the curriculum. However, pupils are sometimes limited in opportunities to further develop their writing skills in science and geography.

Mathematical skills are applied well to other subjects. Sometimes, teachers do not sufficiently challenge the most able pupils to reach the very highest standards. Teachers make regular checks on the quality of work across the curriculum.

Strong links have been formed with other schools to help teachers evaluate pupils' work well. Children in the early years settle quickly to life in school. The provision is exciting and provides many learning experiences.

However, opportunities to develop writing skills are sometimes not clear. Sometimes, opportunities to extend children's learning are not maximised when the purpose of learning activities is unclear.

Information about this school

The school is a voluntary-aided Church of England primary school.

The most recent section 48 inspection took place in May 2018. The headteacher supports the school for two and a half days each week. The school is smaller than the average-sized primary school.

The school has two classes. The first class teaches children in Nursery and Reception as well as pupils in Year 1 and Year 2. The second class teaches pupils from Years 3, 4, 5 and 6.

Most pupils are of White British heritage. The proportion of disadvantaged pupils is well below the national average. The proportion of pupils with SEND is below the national average.