Framlingham Sir Robert Hitcham's Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 20 June 2023

This is a happy and friendly school. Pupils enjoy their learning and the time they spend together. They share equipment and play well. They show kindness and empathy towards others and make sure everyone feels included in their games. Pupils listen well to each other when sharing their opinions. They also listen well to adults during lessons. Pupils are excited by their learning. They experience a broad and rich curriculum that motivates them to achieve well. They work hard during their lessons. All staff have high expectations for what pupils can achieve. Pupils aspire to reach these expectations across the curriculum. They appreciate the opportunities with which leaders provide them. The music curriculum develops pupils' love of and appreciation for music. The curriculum also provides pupils with experiences they would not otherwise have. For example, Year 5 pupils have the chance to sing in the chapel of a local college, which they describe as 'amazing and a great experience'. Pupils contribute positively to the life of the school. Pupils are proud to represent others as elected members of the school council, worship leaders and house captains. They take their responsibilities seriously. Through these roles, pupils learn to be active members of the community.

What the school should improve

• In some subjects, leaders have not established clear processes for checking that the work teachers give to pupils enables them to secure their understanding of the important planned knowledge. Sometimes, teachers plan activities that do not help pupils secure important knowledge as well as they could. Leaders should ensure that the work and resources with which teachers provide pupils helps them to secure their understanding of the planned curriculum.
• In some subjects, teachers and subject leaders do not have a clear understanding of what pupils know and can do. Leaders should establish a consistent approach to checking pupils' learning so that teachers and subject leaders have an accurate understanding of what pupils know and can do. They must then use these checks to adapt the curriculum appropriately.
• Leaders do not ensure that all pupils have sufficient opportunity to develop reading fluency once they have secured their phonics knowledge. This means that some pupils are not becoming confident and fluent readers as quickly as they could. Leaders should ensure that all staff provide pupils with the opportunities they need to read with fluency once they have decoded and blended sounds together.

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