Mountnessing Church of England Primary School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 15 September 2022

Pupils enjoy school. They are proud to be members of a school community where everyone is valued. Pupils are enthusiastic about learning. They are eager to share their knowledge. They like to explain how their learning connects across different subjects. Pupils benefit from a broad and rich curriculum. They are well prepared for the next stage of their education. Pupils are friendly and polite. Relationships between pupils and adults are respectful. Pupils respond well to staff members' high expectations. Pupils listen carefully in lessons. They share their thoughts and reflect on each other's ideas. Pupils participate well in discussion and debate. Pupils recognise how the school's values help prepare them for life beyond school. Pupils contribute positively to the life of the school and the wider community. Pupils are happy in school and feel safe. They are confident that adults will always listen to any worries they may have. Pupils trust adults to help them sort out disagreements at an early stage. Consequently, bullying is rare. Parents and carers are overwhelmingly positive about the school. They appreciate the regular communications that help keep them up to date. They value the school's caring ethos in which their children thrive.

What the school should improve

• Staff are developing their confidence in implementing the new phonics and early reading programme based on the training they have received. Some staff are not applying the approaches of the new programme consistently, particularly when they are supporting less confident readers. Leaders should ensure that staff continue to receive guidance and support to deliver the programme consistently well so that all pupils quickly become confident and fluent readers.
• Sometimes, teachers plan lessons that do not follow the sequence of learning that leaders have planned. When this happens, pupils do not achieve well because teachers have not made sure that these lessons build on what pupils already know and can do. Leaders should ensure that staff are clear about the sequence of learning and how this builds on pupils' previous learning in each subject. Leaders should provide the guidance that staff need to implement the planned curriculum effectively in all subjects.

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