St Peter's Church of England First School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 16 April 2024

The school values of 'love, learn, flourish' are at the heart of all that St Peter's First School offers its pupils. Care and nurture are clearly evident in the strong relationships between staff and pupils. This ensures that pupils are ready to learn, both academically and emotionally. As a result, pupils thrive. They become confident and determined individuals who are well prepared for their next steps. Pupils are active participants of any community they are part of. Pupils are enthusiastic about their school and what they learn. They strive to meet the high expectations staff have of them in their learning and their conduct. Pupils behave well. They are polite and welcoming. They support and encourage each other across age groups. Pupils know how staff encourage them to 'make better choices' if needed. They know what the school puts in place to help them if they find things challenging. For example, being part of 'Happy Stars' nurture group and taking part in outdoor learning. Pupils talk with pride about the roles of responsibility they hold. These include sports leaders, school council representatives, forest school ambassadors and school chaplains. They value the difference that they can make in these roles. They know that the school places importance on their views and opinions and pupils express these well.

What the school should improve

• The curriculum in some subjects is not as well-embedded as others. This is because, in some areas, it is not as far along in its development. As a result, pupils do not retain as much of their learning over time and make the strong progress that they do where the curriculum is securely embedded and implementation is at its strongest. The trust should ensure that it works to embed all subjects in the curriculum so that they are as secure as where the curriculum is at its strongest.
• There is a disparity in the views and understanding of how the school manages pupils' behaviour and responds to reports of bullying. Although pupils' behaviour is typically good, there is not always a well-understood approach to support pupils towards the most successful outcome and resolution. The trust needs to work with its community, pupils, staff and parents, to ensure that all understand the policy for managing behaviour and bullying so that it can have the most successful impact on pupils.

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