Clifton-upon-Dunsmore CofE Primary School

Overview: Clifton-upon-Dunsmore CofE Primary School is a welcoming and inclusive school where pupils are proud to attend. They are polite and kind, with warm and nurturing relationships with staff. The school offers a variety of opportunities and activities, allowing pupils to explore their interests beyond the classroom.

Strengths:

• Pupils learn to love reading, with a phonics programme in place and staff receiving appropriate training.
• Children in the early years settle quickly, with routines and expectations set out from the start.
• The school's programme for personal development is a strength, with pupils benefiting from learning about career opportunities, residential trips, and initiatives such as 'British values week'.

Areas to improve:

• In the early years, some activities and interactions do not match the intended learning and do not help children to develop the vocabulary they need.
• Governors do not have sufficient understanding of the school's work and so do not provide the challenge and support needed to bring about further improvements.
• The school has not communicated effectively with stakeholders, leading to uncertainty and dissatisfaction.

Safeguarding: The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, but some aspects are not as sharp as they should be, including ensuring that systems, processes and policies are up to date and followed consistently, and ensuring that all staff have received the appropriate training and understand statutory guidance.