St James' Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School

Overview

St James’ Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School is described as a “highly inclusive” environment where pupils “thrive” through positive learning experiences. The inspection highlights an “ambitious curriculum” and “exceptional” behaviour, noting that staff set high expectations and foster warm relationships. Overall effectiveness is judged as Good, with Behaviour and attitudes rated Outstanding.

Strengths

• Pupils demonstrate “exemplary” behaviour and are “kind and respectful,” with bullying reported as rare and handled swiftly.
• Teachers possess “strong subject knowledge” and effectively introduce new learning, emphasising “subject-specific vocabulary.”
• The early years curriculum is “coherently planned,” ensuring children settle quickly and are well prepared for future learning.
• Reading is prioritised with “daily phonics teaching” from Reception, and interventions help pupils with special educational needs catch up.
• Leaders ensure staff workload is “manageable,” and governors provide “effective support and challenge.”

Areas to improve

• In some subjects, teachers do not consistently check pupils’ learning or address gaps in understanding, meaning some pupils are not sufficiently supported.
• Some younger pupils have not yet learned to read with sufficient fluency, hindering their access to the wider curriculum; leaders must continue catch-up programmes.

Safeguarding

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