All Saints is an average-sized voluntary aided primary school. Reflecting its locality, pupils come from a range of ethnic and religious backgrounds. Around 73% come from Christian backgrounds. The largest other religious group represented is Muslim (10%). The percentage who speak English as an additional language is above average. The percentage with special educational needs and those for whom pupil premium funding, due to social disadvantage, is received are below average. The Headteacher has been in post for just over a year and the RE subject leader for less than half a term.
All Saints’ school is explicit in its commitment to following the example of Jesus. Its service is encapsulated by its new motto, ‘Inspired by Christ, reaching out to all, being the best we can be’. This motto has been introduced recently and is reshaping school life and practice well. The school’s values, whilst being values shared by many, are explicitly expressed in Christian terms and underpinned by biblical examples. These values are friendship, respect, perseverance, forgiveness, honesty, and fairness. Most pupils understand their importance in school life and some can relate these to life outside of school. Thus, the school focuses on preparing pupils academically and personally to be active, caring, and respectful people. Pupils begin school with around average attainment and leave having made good progress. Pupils’ spiritual, moral, social, and cultural development is very well supported in the curriculum, in worship, and through extra-curricular clubs and trips. Pupils respond well to this provision. Pupils’ behavior is exemplary. It reflects the school’s Christian ethos very well. Pupils’ attendance is good because they feel safe and cared for in school. As befits its Christian foundation, the school works well with families where a pupil’s attendance or behavior may be causing concern. Pupils are known as individuals, and consequently feel valued, irrespective of their background, ability, or aptitude. One pupil said, ‘We all get on well. The school respects each other.
Pupils make good progress over time to reach standards in reading, writing, and mathematics that are above average by the end of Year 2.Pupils achieve well from their different starting points in Key Stage 2. In the 2014 Year, 6 pupils reached above-average standards. Pupils have made strong gains in mathematics in the past year because of changes the school has introduced. Teachers have high expectations of what pupils can achieve in Key Stages 1 and 2. Marking shows pupils what they do well and how they can improve their work. Pupils’ behavior is outstanding as they have extremely positive attitudes to learning. They are cared for very well and feel completely safe in school. The new headteacher has made an impressive start in improving the school and in working successfully with staff, parents, governors, and pupils. The governing body knows the school well and provides a good level of support and challenge.
Relationships are very positive and teachers manage pupils well, motivating them to work hard and productively. Learning is purposeful in Key Stages 1 and 2. Teachers make activities interesting for pupils and mainly have high expectations of them. For example, Year 4 pupils were drafting a letter to a medical professor explaining what they had learned about blood as part of their work on molecules. They had made large-scale models of molecules to represent gases, solids, and liquids. The gases had lids on the containers to stop them from floating away. Teachers use a range of effective approaches, including questioning, to engage pupils and to extend their learning. Books show that pupils make good progress over time. The regular marking shows pupils how well they have done and helps them to improve their work. Work is usually set at the right level for pupils. Occasionally it is too easy for the ablest pupils, particularly when writing. Teaching assistants effectively support groups and individual pupils. They are trained well and work closely with teachers. Teaching in the early years requires improvement because children do not acquire the knowledge and skills they need, especially in writing, quickly enough.
At All Saints’ we enable children to reach their full potential, achieving excellence, whilst nurturing spiritual and emotional development. Inspired by Christ and reaching out to all, we are a truly inclusive school and meet the needs of all our learners.
