Northlew and Ashbury Parochial Church of England Primary School

Overview

Northlew and Ashbury Parochial Church of England Primary School continues to be a good school, providing a stimulating and safe environment where pupils feel secure. Leaders have established a strong, ambitious curriculum, particularly in reading, which helps most pupils achieve success. The school effectively supports vulnerable pupils and those with special educational needs, fostering a compassionate community rooted in Christian values.

Strengths

• Staff model high levels of compassion and care, ensuring vulnerable pupils receive "precise support they need to thrive."
• A "well-organised and ambitious reading curriculum" sits at the heart of every school day, with effective phonics assessments helping pupils catch up quickly.
• Teachers link subjects to form a "coherent curriculum that builds on pupils’ prior learning," allowing all pupils, including those with SEND, to develop expertise.
• Pupils behave well, with "very little poor behaviour, including bullying," and use helpful strategies like reflection to resolve disagreements.
• Leaders are "relentless in their drive to get pupils the help they need," ensuring timely support from external agencies for those with additional needs.

Areas to improve

• Teachers must use assessment information better to ensure the mathematics curriculum is "suitably ambitious" for stronger mathematicians, as current activities are often too easy.
• Leaders need to continue reaching out to the parental community to resolve concerns regarding the management of pupils’ behaviour, as some parents do not share the view that behaviour is well managed.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with staff receiving suitable training and working in partnership with external agencies, though minor clerical errors in records were improved during the inspection.