Thurlbear Church of England Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school.

The headteacher has been highly effective in leading changes that have resulted in rapid improvements in teaching and pupils' achievement since her appointment. She is strongly supported by other senior leaders and a knowledgeable and challenging governing body. Attainment for pupils is above national levels in Year 6, with an increasing number of pupils working at the higher Level 5.

All pupils are making good progress in reading, writing and mathematics, with an increasing number of pupils making outstanding progress. Pupils are very happy at school. Warm and trusting relationships underpin their enjoyment of learning.

All tea...ching is good, with an increasing proportion that is outstanding. Children in the Early Years Foundation Stage are particularly well taught and supported so that they make excellent progress in their learning and personal development. Pupils' behaviour is exemplary, both in lessons and around the school.

Pupils feel extremely safe in school and are nurtured well. Staff, parents and carers and pupils share a strong belief in the values of their school. The school provides pupils with an interesting range of subjects, topics and experiences which contribute strongly to their spiritual, moral, social and cultural development.

Everyone is included and respected. It is not yet an outstanding school because : The proportion of outstanding teaching is not yet high enough to ensure all pupils' progress is rapid and sustained across all year groups in mathematics. Just occasionally in lessons, work is too hard or too easy for some pupils so that learning is not moved on rapidly.

Information about this school

This school is smaller than the average-sized primary school. The majority of pupils come from a White British background. Around one pupil in ten is disabled or has special educational needs supported through school action.

This is below average. Around one pupil in 50 is supported at school action plus or with a statement of special educational needs, which is well below average. Around one in 25 pupils is supported by the pupil premium (additional government funding for specific groups of pupils, including those known to be eligible for free school meals), which is below average.

The Early Years Foundation Stage is made up of one full-time Reception class. The governing body manages a before- and after-school club daily known as 'The Den'. There have been many staff changes since the previous inspection.

The headteacher was appointed in January 2012; the assistant-headteacher, the special educational needs coordinator and the Early Years Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1 coordinator were appointed in September 2012. The headteacher is a Local Leader of Education and supports two schools in the local area. The school meets the government's current floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress.