Freezywater St George's CofE VA Primary School

Overview

Freezywater St George’s CofE VA Primary School continues to be a good school, described as “friendly and welcoming” where pupils are “well cared for.” Leaders share a vision to “inspire pupils with a love of learning,” supported by an “ambitious curriculum” and strong pastoral care. Parents are “overwhelmingly positive,” appreciating the school’s inclusive approach and the high expectations staff hold for all pupils.

Strengths

• The curriculum is “broad and balanced,” with clear sequencing in most subjects that helps pupils build knowledge and skills over time.
• Leaders are “particularly effective” at ensuring the curriculum meets the needs of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), who learn the “same full range of subjects” as others.
• Reading is a “key priority,” with staff trained to deliver phonics “consistently well” and struggling readers receiving extra support to “catch up quickly.”
• Pupils benefit from a “wide range of interesting educational visits” and a high-profile music programme where they “develop and celebrate their talents.”
• Staff workload is “well managed,” and governors provide the necessary “support and challenge” to keep developing the school’s work.

Areas to improve

• Leaders need to refine essential content in some foundation subjects where the curriculum is “overloaded with content,” which affects how well pupils remember what they are taught.
• The computing curriculum is “underdeveloped,” leading to inconsistent pupil understanding; leaders should strengthen the programme so pupils can “build their knowledge and skills securely over time.”

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with leaders ensuring required pre-employment checks are carried out and staff receiving regular training and updates.