St Andrew's CofE VC Primary School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 10 March 2026

Pupils are guided by the school's well-known motto as they are encouraged to 'Aspire, Believe and Celebrate'. This helps them develop into respectful, kind individuals who are keen to learn. Pupils, including those from disadvantaged backgrounds, attend school well. Children make a strong start in Reception. They quickly learn routines and expectations and develop positive learning habits. As pupils move through the school, however, some develop gaps in their knowledge. These gaps in key learning hinder how well pupils achieve overall. Staff do not support pupils to catch up quickly enough when these gaps emerge. As a result, some pupils are not well prepared academically for the next stage of their education. Behaviour around the school is typically positive. Pupils usually demonstrate positive attitudes to learning and enjoy the range of subjects they study. Playtime is lively and active, with games such as football, skipping and basketball taking place positively. Adults remain on hand to support pupils when needed. The school is generally a calm environment that supports learning well. Pupils understand how to express their feelings and seek help if they find things difficult. They feel safe, listened to and well cared for. When pupils feel worried or anxious, they use strategies that help them share their concerns. Pupils are confident that adults will support them. Although bullying does occasionally occur, records show that staff take incidents seriously and address them effectively. A wide range of roles and responsibilities gives pupils the chance to have an active voice in school life. Clubs and trips further enrich and enhance the curriculum for pupils across the school. These opportunities help develop pupils as well-rounded individuals.

What the school should improve

• Leaders, including governors, should ensure they act quickly and effectively to implement the necessary changes so they make timely and sustained improvements to teaching and pupils' achievement.
• Leaders should ensure that staff have the expertise to address gaps in pupils' knowledge effectively, particularly in the key foundations of learning, including pupils' transcriptional writing skills.
• Leaders should ensure that staff receive targeted training and support to strengthen their expertise and pedagogical approaches so they can deliver the curriculum successfully across all subjects.
• Leaders and governors need to further engage the school community, including parents and carers, to ensure they feel fully informed and valued as part of school life.

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