St Leonard's CofE Primary School

Overview

St Leonard’s CofE Primary School is described as a “happy and productive school” where pupils make steady progress and achieve in line with national averages. The report highlights a “calm, positive environment” with warm relationships, effective support for vulnerable pupils, and a well-sequenced curriculum that prepares children confidently for their next steps.

Strengths

• “Very effective phonics teaching” helps children gain confidence and fluency in early reading.
• Leaders provide “carefully planned help” that removes barriers for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities and those who are disadvantaged.
• Staff create a “calm, positive environment” where pupils behave well, feel safe, and know adults will help resolve any issues.
• The curriculum is “well planned, ambitious and carefully sequenced,” with a strong focus on communication skills and subject-specific vocabulary.
• Leaders maintain “robust systems” to track attendance and collaborate with external agencies to support pupils’ wellbeing and belonging.

Areas to improve

• Teachers’ explanations, use of resources, and checks on pupils’ understanding are “not used consistently,” meaning some pupils do not receive support at the right time.
• Leaders should ensure staff use models, scaffolds, and teaching resources “consistently well” to deepen learning across the curriculum.
• Staff must “consistently check pupils’ learning” and adapt tasks swiftly to provide appropriate support and challenge for all pupils.

Safeguarding

The safeguarding standards are met, with leaders establishing an “open culture in which safeguarding is everyone's responsibility” and concerns actively identified and managed.