St Giles CofE Primary School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 6 May 2026

Pupils are happy and safe at this welcoming and nurturing Church of England school. They talk positively about the fact that everybody is included and model the school's values of 'everybody matters'. Pupils know who to turn to if they have a worry. Caring staff greet pupils warmly each morning, ensuring that pupils feel valued and are ready to learn. Pupils, including children in the early years, settle quickly to morning activities. Most pupils are keen to learn and enjoy their learning. There is a sharp focus on pupils securing their knowledge of speaking and listening, reading, writing and mathematics. Staff in the early years ensure that all children have purposeful opportunities to develop their communication and language skills. Leaders' focus on improving pupils' writing is having a positive impact. In mathematics, pupils show increasing knowledge of number facts. Pupils typically make suitable progress and are achieving well. They are, in the main, ready for their next stages. Pupils’ behaviour in and around the school is typically positive. They say that bullying is rare and not tolerated. Pupils value the support that staff give to them, with many pupils saying that adults in school ‘really care about them’. Pupils attend school well. Families who need additional help to ensure that their children attend school as often as possible receive appropriate support and guidance. This work with families is having a positive impact. Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities and pupils who face other barriers to learning typically benefit from thoughtful adaptations to their learning. Pupils enjoy learning in the school’s recently developed ‘Orchard’ provision. This enables pupils to access bespoke learning which is well-suited to their needs. Pupils benefit from experiences beyond the classroom which enhance their learning. Residential trips help pupils to develop their resilience and confidence at trying new things. School councillors are proud to make contributions to school life including making important decisions when interviewing potential new teachers. Pupils in the ‘charity squad’ organise fundraising events, helping others in need. Pupils develop their talents and interests through a range of extra-curricular activities. Important life skills such as swimming and cooking are pupils' particular favourites.

What the school should improve

• Leaders should ensure that classroom practice more consistently meets the needs of different learners in the school’s mixed-age classes.
• Leaders should ensure that assessment arrangements in the wider curriculum help teachers check pupils’ understanding and adapt teaching appropriately so gaps in pupils’ knowledge are addressed effectively.
• Leaders should ensure that the teaching of the personal development programme enables pupils to develop a deeper understanding of a range of faiths and religions.

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