St Paul's CofE Primary School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 9 June 2026

Every day, staff warmly greet pupils and their parents and carers as they arrive at school. Pupils, including children in the early years, quickly make their way to classrooms and settle down to work. They enjoy learning and the many enrichment activities on offer. Pupils value the positive working relationships with staff, who they trust to care for and help them if they have any worries. Pupils also get on very well together and ensure that new arrivals quickly make friends. As a result, pupils are happy. They feel they belong in this community, attend regularly, feel safe and know that any bullying or discrimination will be dealt with promptly. Pupils have positive attitudes to learning and are keen to gain new knowledge. In class and during social times they behave very maturely. Those who struggle to manage their emotions receive effective support to overcome any barriers to positive behaviour. Curriculum thinking and the quality of teaching in the early years are well embedded and ensure that children are very well prepared for Year 1. The curriculum for Years 1 to 6 is broad and ambitious. Leaders are currently refining some aspects of curriculum design in the wider curriculum subjects to further improve pupils' learning. Teaching is generally effective, leading to suitable progress overall through the curriculum. Pupils with additional needs are usually well supported to overcome barriers to their learning and/or wellbeing. Pupils attain well in national tests in English and mathematics and leave Year 6 well prepared for secondary school. Pupils benefit from a wide range of experiences to bring the curriculum to life and to extend their understanding of the world around them. They also have a voice in improving the school. For example, pupils initiated a school newspaper, while others suggested and helped to organise a barbecue lunch for older pupils and a teddy bear picnic for younger children in the local park.

What the school should improve

• Leaders should strengthen teaching by supporting all teachers to enhance their skills in adapting learning to meet pupils' additional needs consistently well.
• Leaders should build further on the school's current work to refine and embed teaching approaches that consistently support pupils to know and remember more over time.
• Leaders should continue their work on strengthening the curriculum so that staff know precisely what knowledge pupils must know across all of the wider curriculum subjects.
• The governing body should maintain its focus on strengthening its knowledge and skills to ensure that it continues to fulfil its role effectively and sustain compliance with statutory duties.

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