St Chad's CofE (VC) First School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 3 March 2026

Pupils are proud to be part of this nurturing school where the vision of 'One big family, learning together' is lived out each day. They arrive each morning with a sense of excitement. Staff greet pupils warmly and take time to ask how they are. This thoughtful start to the day helps pupils feel safe, valued and ready to learn. Across the school, pupils and staff share a strong sense of belonging, which creates a positive and supportive atmosphere. Pupils enjoy their learning and articulate their knowledge with confidence. The curriculum is carefully organised so that pupils build knowledge over time. Pupils revisit key ideas and learn to look for connections between subjects to help them to remember their learning. Those who need additional help, including those who are disadvantaged or those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, receive effective support. This enables them to participate fully in the classroom and learn alongside their peers. Pupils typically achieve well and attend regularly. They value their education. Behaviour throughout the school is incredibly calm and respectful. Pupils are polite and show genuine consideration for one another. Starting in the early years, children follow routines consistently, both in lessons and at other times of the school day. Bullying is very rare. Pupils are confident that staff will act swiftly and effectively should any concerns arise. Pupils relish the wide range of enrichment opportunities on offer. They enjoy clubs, sporting activities and educational visits that help to extend their interests. Many pupils take pride in leadership roles, such as reading buddies and school ambassadors. Older pupils support younger children and help to organise their playtime activities. These responsibilities help pupils to grow in confidence, contribute positively to their community and develop the qualities they need to thrive in modern Britain. By the time pupils leave the school, they are confident, responsible learners who are well prepared for the next stage of their education.

What the school should improve

• Leaders should continue to embed highly effective teaching of handwriting so that the quality of pupils' writing across the curriculum further improves and pupils are better prepared for their next stage of education.
• Leaders should ensure that staff's adaptations to pupils' learning are closely aligned to the needs and targets of those pupils, so that they consistently benefit from high-quality support to learn successfully.

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