Brindle St James' Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 23 June 2026

This is a small school with a big heart. Pupils come running through the gates each morning, eager to find out what the day has in store. They are keen to attend every day because they do not want to miss out on learning or on the wealth of opportunities available to them. Whether they are clog dancing, enjoying a visit from the local MP, learning in the outdoor area or attending residential trips, pupils participate with enthusiasm and appreciation. Older pupils reflect warmly on the happy memories that they create during their time in school. Pupils are well cared for. They trust the staff to help them with any worries that they might have. Pupils become positive role models for each other. Both across the school and within the mixed-age classes, older pupils take great pride in supporting their younger peers. Pupils value kindness and friendship. They are quick to notice when others demonstrate these attributes and to celebrate this by writing a note of recognition that is displayed for all to see. In this nurturing context, where older pupils readily play with and care for the youngest children, pupils are unencumbered by worries about bullying. Starting in the early years, children develop a curiosity about the world and take pride in their learning. Pupils throughout the school apply themselves with quiet diligence during lessons, so that classrooms are an oasis of calm. Pupils typically benefit from a thoughtfully-designed curriculum that is taught well. In the main, staff are adept at reducing any barriers to pupils' learning or wellbeing. As a result, most pupils achieve highly. Children in the early years are particularly well prepared for the demands of Year 1. Expert staff use their thorough knowledge of each child to carefully tailor learning so that these children flourish.

What the school should improve

• Leaders should continue to ensure that staff have clarity about what pupils of different ages should know and remember in every subject, so that they can use this information to design learning activities that take full account of pupils’ starting points. This is to enable pupils to embed and deepen their knowledge in each subject.

Read the full Ofsted report (opens in a new tab)