Witheridge Church of England Primary Academy

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school • All groups of pupils achieve well. Attainment is rising in both key stages as a result of faster progress in all subjects.

• Most pupils are making good progress in reading, writing and mathematics. • Pupils benefit from teaching that is consistently good. Teachers are particularly effective at questioning pupils to develop their understanding and at devising learning activities that capture pupils' interest.

• Reading is taught well so that most pupils are making strong progress. Pupils quickly become fluent readers and develop a keen love of books. • Pupils are motivated in their lessons and enjoy their learning.

They behave ...well and feel safe because the school provides a secure learning environment. • Leadership and management are good. The very effective headteacher has taken firm steps to improve the quality of teaching through well thought out training and the rigorous monitoring of teachers' work.

• Well informed governors give good levels of support and challenge to the school's leaders. They have a clear view of how well the school is performing and manage the school's finances effectively. It is not yet an outstanding school because : • The proportion of outstanding teaching is not • Subject leaders have not yet had sufficient yet high enough to ensure all pupils' progress opportunities to check on the teaching and is rapid and sustained across all year groups.

learning to make further improvements. • Until recently, pupils' progress in writing in Years 2 and 3 has been inconsistent, with few reaching the higher levels.

Information about this school

• This school is much smaller than the average-sized primary school.

Pupils are organised in four classes. • Almost all pupils come from a White British background. • The proportion of pupils known to be eligible for the pupil premium, which is additional government funding for pupils known to be eligible for free school meals, children in local authority care and children with a parent or carer in the armed forces, is below the national average.

Currently, there are no children with a parent or carer in the armed forces and very few children in local authority care. • The proportion of pupils with special educational needs supported at school action is below the national average. The proportion of pupils supported at school action plus or with a statement of special educational needs is just above average.

• Three new teachers have joined the school since the previous inspection. • The school is an associate member of a cooperative trust with four other primary schools. • The school meets the government's current floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress.