Sutton Upon Derwent Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School

Overview

The report describes Sutton Upon Derwent as a “happy place at the heart of its community” with a “caring and inclusive culture.” While safeguarding, attendance, and personal development meet the expected standard, the school requires attention in achievement, curriculum, and leadership due to inconsistent teaching and gaps in core skills.

Strengths

• Safeguarding standards are met, with an “open culture” where concerns are “actively identified, acted upon and managed.”
• Pupils exhibit a “mature attitude towards equality” and report that bullying is “highly unlikely.”
• Attendance is in line with national averages, supported by a “well-attended breakfast club” and prompt action on absences.
• The early years setting provides a “well-designed environment” where children “feel safe, happy and secure.”
• Personal development is strong, with pupils talking “confidently” about online safety and healthy relationships.

Areas to improve

• Leaders must ensure “robust quality assurance identifies precise, measurable priorities for improvement” and that plans are closely monitored.
• Teaching must consistently secure “essential knowledge and skills,” particularly in writing, by using checks to “promptly identify and address gaps.”
• Staff should adapt learning into “manageable steps” for pupils with special educational needs to ensure they “participate successfully and independently.”

Safeguarding

The report confirms that safeguarding standards are met, noting that leaders have established an “open culture in which safeguarding is everyone's responsibility” and that “pupils are made safer and feel safe.”