Castlemorton Church of England Primary School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 8 November 2022

Pupils are happy and thrive at this small community school. Staff establish warm and nurturing relationships with children from the outset. Children settle quickly and feel safe and secure. Leaders and staff know pupils very well and are attentive to their needs. Adults want the best for every child. Adults expect pupils to work hard and behave well, and they do. Bullying is rare. If it happens, pupils know that they should report it and staff will act quickly to sort it out. The school's 'peacemakers' play an active part at playtimes in helping to resolve any squabbles or disputes that may arise. The school's values, known as the 'Four Cs': confidence, cooperation, commitment and care, permeate the ethos of the school. Pupils have a firm understanding of these values and demonstrate them in their attitudes to learning and behaviour. They grow in maturity and confidence by taking an active role in school life. For example, older pupils plan and lead weekly worship. Parents and carers have positive views of the school. They appreciate and value the care and attention all staff show to pupils. A parent said: 'All staff at the school are caring and committed and their enthusiasm is a joy to behold.'

What the school should improve

• Leaders have not ensured that there is progression and continuity between the early years and key stage 1 curriculum. This means that pupils may not have some of the basic knowledge, skills or vocabulary they need in Year 1, or that the key stage 1 curriculum is sufficiently ambitious. Subject leaders should ensure that there is clear progression from the early years to key stage 1 so that pupils achieve as well as they should in all subjects.
• The school's approach to assessing what pupils know and remember in the foundation subjects is at an early stage of development. This means that staff do not know how much progress pupils make in different subjects. Leaders should continue to review their approach to checking how well pupils are achieving across the whole curriculum.
• Pupils' understanding of fundamental British values and cultural diversity is not secure. As a result, pupils' preparedness for life in modern Britain is restricted. Leaders should ensure that pupils have more opportunities to experience other cultures and people with different religious beliefs to gain a better understanding of communities beyond their own immediate environment.

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