St Helen's Primary School

Overview

St Helen’s Primary School is described as a “welcoming village school” where “pupils are happy” and “enjoy learning and playing together.” The report highlights that pupils “feel safe,” behave sensibly, and are “keen to learn,” responding well to adults’ high expectations. Leaders are noted as being “ambitious for all pupils,” having established a broad curriculum that supports effective progression from the early years.

Strengths

• Teachers deliver the reading programme “very effectively,” ensuring pupils “quickly develop their phonic knowledge” and read with “increasing independence.”
• Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities receive timely support, with leaders identifying needs early and creating “detailed and precise” plans.
• The curriculum is enriched by practical workshops, visits from authors and artists, and after-school clubs, helping pupils “broaden career aspirations.”
• Staff are “well trained” and know their pupils well, selecting vocabulary carefully so pupils “quickly learn and apply new words.”
• Governors take their responsibilities seriously, and staff feel “well supported by leaders” who show concern for their well-being.

Areas to improve

• In “a few subjects,” curriculum plans, staff training, and leadership monitoring are “less well developed,” with plans lacking “precise detail.”
• Leaders should ensure learning in these subjects is “carefully sequenced,” staff are confident in delivery, and effective monitoring systems are established.

Safeguarding

The report states that “the arrangements for safeguarding are effective,” noting that staff are “vigilant” and leaders “act rapidly to keep pupils safe” while working effectively with external agencies.