St Nicholas Church of England First School

Overview

St Nicholas Church of England First School has taken effective action to maintain the standards identified at the previous inspection. The school is described as welcoming, with pupils displaying a "deep sense of belonging" and achieving high standards. Leaders and staff are ambitious for pupil achievement, supported by a carefully designed curriculum and strong community links.

Strengths

• Pupils are "incredibly polite and respectful," following routines well and demonstrating positive attitudes towards learning.
• The curriculum features "well-sequenced concepts," with staff possessing secure subject expertise to deliver it clearly.
• Reading is a high priority; children learn phonics daily from Nursery, and the school provides targeted support, resulting in pupils who "read regularly" and "achieve well."
• The early years environment is "inviting and interesting," with strong staff-child relationships ensuring most children are ready for Year 1.
• Pupils are well-prepared for the next stage of their education through meaningful career links and extra-curricular activities.

Areas to improve

• The school must ensure the writing curriculum is consistently implemented, as staff do not always address early writing misconceptions, leading to lower standards in writing.
• All staff need the necessary expertise and strategies to support pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) effectively, as current inconsistencies affect some pupils' achievement.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.