West Haddon Endowed Church of England Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Outcome

West Haddon Endowed Church of England Primary School continues to be a good school.

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils are proud of their school. They respect their teachers and appreciate that they help them to achieve their best.

They feel very safe because they know that adults listen to them and care about them. Year 6 pupils say that this is a great school to grow up in.

Leaders want pupils to have excellent academic skills and to be thoughtful citizens.

Pupils use their fluent reading skills to learn about interesting topics. For example, pupils explained the sources they use to understand Mayan everyday life. They know that some evidence is biase...d and some is more reliable.

Pupils ask respectful questions of visitors to understand the world beyond their village.

Pupils are responsible school councillors and librarians. Older pupils are caring 'buddies' for younger children.

Pupils take part in events, such as tag rugby, archery, and the annual community 'Wassail'. Pupils relish activities, such as visiting French pen pals, national museums and theatre performances.

Pupils behave well at all times.

They show the school's 'monthly values', such as honesty and respect. They are proud to earn headteacher or value awards. Pupils say that bullying rarely happens because adults are quick to sort out any issues.

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

Leaders have been successful in sustaining high standards since the last inspection. This is because they know the school, its pupils and staff very well. They set clear expectations of everyone.

They check that policies are fully implemented. They provide staff with effective training. This has ensured that pupils achieve particularly well in English and mathematics.

Leaders give the highest priority to reading, because it gives pupils the key to all learning. Phonics is well taught from the very start. This begins in Nursery.

Staff receive regular training to keep their subject knowledge fresh. Pupils use the sounds they know to tackle new words. They enjoy using their skills in activities across the curriculum.

By Year 2, pupils can read about interesting topics, such as finding out that male penguins hatch out the eggs.In key stage 2, leaders make sure that they provide tailored support for the few pupils that need it. Teachers introduce sophisticated vocabulary to pupils.

They show pupils how to use information from the text to answer questions about what they read. Teachers read to pupils every day. Leaders ensure that parents and carers understand that reading with their children is essential.

Leaders have improved the library. Pupils enjoy using it and Year 6 boys told me that they are reading more often.Senior leaders have ensured that pupils have studied the full range of national curriculum subjects for many years.

They are now refining plans to make sure that the most important knowledge they want pupils to learn is clearly and logically set out. Parents are enthusiastic about the new knowledge organisers that show what pupils should learn.

Pupils remember a lot of knowledge from past topics.

Some teachers skilfully help pupils connect new knowledge to what they know already. For example, Year 6 pupils can identify features of a 'civilised society' in their Mayan, Roman and Ancient Egyptian studies. Leaders know that other subjects are not yet taught as well as English and mathematics.

They are training new leaders to become subject experts. Leaders are determined to raise standards in all subjects.Leaders precisely identify pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).

They make sure that staff adapt learning to meet pupils' needs. Pupils with SEND achieve very well.

Staff in the early years work well with families.

Parents feel well informed about their children's achievements. Children confidently join in with the clear routines. Staff develop children's number and language skills at every opportunity.

They plan learning that captures children's interests. Children were happily hammering ice blocks. They told me: 'If we were in the Antarctic, ice wouldn't melt, because it is too cold.'

Children are very well prepared for Year 1.

Pupils behave well. Staff give pupils many opportunities to develop as well-rounded individuals.

Teachers help pupils to organise their own charity fundraising events. Activities such as a visit from an international athlete and a residential visit to France raise pupils' aspirations. Pupils learn from regular visitors about a range of different faiths.

Pupils take part in local church and community events.

Staff know that leaders care about their well-being. Leaders are determined to find ways to help conscientious staff work smarter.

Parents appreciate that staff go the extra mile.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

Staff put pupils' welfare first.

Leaders provide staff with regular safeguarding training. Staff know the signs that may mean a pupil is at risk of harm. They report any concerns to leaders without delay.

Leaders work well with external agencies to provide support for pupils who need it. Leaders undertake appropriate checks before staff start to work at the school.

Pupils learn how to keep themselves safe.

Pupils understand how to stay safe online and what to do if they feel worried. They also learn about fire, road and water safety.

What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

Leaders have ensured that pupils have experienced a broad and balanced curriculum over time.

Last year, they reviewed the curriculum to identify the most important knowledge they want pupils to learn and ensure that planning is sequenced logically to build up pupils' knowledge and skills progressively. Curriculum plans in English and mathematics are highly developed and skilfully implemented. Also, in history, French and religious education (RE), plans are being implemented well and are having a positive impact on learning.

The plans and implementation for some subjects, for example art and design, and design and technology, are not as far advanced. Leaders should ensure that they complete their review and refinement of plans for all subjects.

Background

When we have judged a school to be good, we will then normally go into the school about once every four years to confirm that the school remains good.

This is called a section 8 inspection of a good school or non-exempt outstanding school. We do not give graded judgements on a section 8 inspection. However, if we find some evidence that the school could now be better than good or that standards may be declining, then the next inspection will be a section 5 inspection.

Usually this is within one to two years of the date of the section 8 inspection. If we have serious concerns about safeguarding, behaviour or the quality of education, we will convert the section 8 inspection to a section 5 inspection immediately.

This is the second section 8 inspection since we judged West Haddon Endowed Church of England Primary School to be good on 12–13 January 2012.