Piddle Valley Church of England First School

Overview

Piddle Valley Church of England First School is described as a “rapidly improving, effective school” where “children thrive from the moment they arrive in Nursery.” New leadership has successfully raised expectations and introduced a more effective curriculum, resulting in pupils who “love learning” and achieve well, particularly in reading and science.

Strengths

• The school gives reading the “highest priority,” with a “robust programme for teaching reading” that ensures pupils learn to read rapidly and develop a love for books.
• Staff know pupils individually and link learning to their interests, ensuring that pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are well supported and achieve well.
• The early years provision is “very effective,” with a carefully planned curriculum that promotes independence and prepares children well for key stage 1.
• Pupils feel “happy and safe,” with strong relationships meaning they “share break times together well” and often sort out problems independently.
• Leaders have “resolutely turned around a previous decline in standards,” creating a harmonious environment where staff feel valued and plans for improvement are systematic.

Areas to improve

• In some subjects, particularly mathematics, planning “lacks refinement,” leaving pupils insecure in their basic knowledge and hindering their ability to learn new curriculum content effectively.
• The school should continue to strengthen how it works with the community to establish effective collaboration, as some parents still lack faith due to historical weaknesses in engagement.

Safeguarding

The report states that “the arrangements for safeguarding are effective.”