St Andrew's Church of England Primary Academy

Overview

This is a “rapidly improving school” where pupils are “engaged and enthusiastic about their learning.” Since the new headteacher joined, expectations for behaviour and academic progress have risen, resulting in a “calm and orderly” environment. However, the report notes that pupils still have “gaps in their knowledge from previous learning,” meaning some are not fully prepared for the next stages of their education.

Strengths

• Behaviour is praised as “calm and orderly,” with pupils being “polite and courteous” and low-level disruption being rare.
• There is a “strong safeguarding culture,” with bullying being rare and dealt with effectively, ensuring pupils “feel safe at school.”
• The curriculum is now “ambitious” and “well sequenced,” with teachers choosing better activities and the quality of work in pupils’ books improving.
• Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities are “well supported,” with teachers adapting teaching to ensure all pupils can access the curriculum.
• Personal development is well-planned, offering pupils opportunities to debate key issues and take on leadership roles such as “global ambassadors.”

Areas to improve

• The delivery of phonics is “not yet consistent,” meaning some pupils are not securing knowledge as quickly as they could; staff must ensure consistent use of the scheme’s techniques.
• The school must work to “identify and fill any gaps in pupil knowledge” from the previous curriculum so pupils are fully prepared for future learning.
• The early years environment is “not yet fully developed,” leading to missed opportunities to support children’s understanding of the curriculum through the provision area.

Safeguarding

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