The Clinton Church of England Primary School

Overview

The inspection found that pupils do not receive an acceptable standard of education due to ineffective leadership and slow improvement actions. The school is in special measures because leaders are not demonstrating the capacity to secure necessary improvements, resulting in an inadequate quality of education and weak oversight.

Strengths

• The school is described as a "welcoming, calm school where pupils feel safe" and are "kind and considerate."
• Pupils value "close relationships they have with staff" and know they can speak to staff about concerns.
• Pupils engage positively with character-building activities, such as the ‘Change Maker’ award, and take pride in fundraising for charities.
• Safeguarding arrangements are effective, with an open culture that puts pupils’ interests first.

Areas to improve

• The trust must take urgent action to stabilise staffing and provide leadership capacity to improve provision rapidly.
• Assessment must be used effectively to check pupil understanding, ensuring tasks are ambitious and address knowledge gaps.
• Teaching must be adapted effectively for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) to enable them to access the curriculum and progress well.
• Staff require better subject and pedagogical expertise, particularly in reading and phonics, to ensure pupils develop skills sufficiently.
• Early years provision needs consistent oversight to ensure learning activities are ambitious and prepare children for future stages.

Safeguarding

The report states that "the arrangements for safeguarding are effective."