Norham St Ceolwulfs CofE Controlled Primary School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 1 October 2024

Pupils are safe, happy and educated well at this small and rural first school. Relationships between pupils, their families and their teachers are caring and supportive. Adults who work in the school know every pupil well. Any worries that pupils have are picked up quickly and sorted out effectively. Staff have high expectations of the pupils who attend this school. Pupils achieve well in English, mathematics and science. In other subjects, the gaps in pupils' knowledge are being filled quickly. The school's provision for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) helps these pupils to learn well. Pupils behave well in and around school. They help each other out in lessons and play together cooperatively at breaktimes. Pupils are polite, courteous and welcoming to visitors. They undertake charitable work enthusiastically. They look forward to reading with the residents of a local care home. There has been a sea change in all aspects of this school's work since the last inspection. Parents and carers recognise and appreciate the improvements that the school has made. A typical comment, echoing the views of many, was, 'A lot of change has gone on at the school over the last couple of years and it has improved immensely.'

What the school should improve

• In some subjects, the curriculum is not fully embedded. This means that older pupils have gaps in their knowledge of these subjects. The school should ensure that as the curriculum is further developed, these gaps are revisited so that older pupils learn all that they should.
• The governing body is recently established. It does not challenge the school incisively enough. The school should ensure that governors have the expertise that they need to carry out this aspect of their role effectively.

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