Yattendon C.E. Primary School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 12 July 2023

Pupils are proud to be part of this thriving school community. They have very positive relationships with staff and each other. The school's motto of 'small school with a big vision' is brought to life through the work that staff and pupils do each day. This is demonstrated by the way staff help pupils to develop their talents and interests. They know the pupils as individuals and expect great things from each of them. Many pupils learn musical instruments, for example the piano, recorder and drums. Pupils take part in clubs such as choir, art, multi-sports and French. Pupils enjoy curriculum visits such as trips to Ufton Court, Kew Gardens and Minstead Study Centre. They love to represent their school through sports events, for example football and netball competitions. By the end of Year 6, pupils are well prepared for secondary school. They value fulfilling roles of responsibility such as being 'buddies' and house captains. Older pupils set a positive example for younger ones to follow. Pupils feel safe. They work well together in lessons and play happily on the playground. One pupil described the strong sense of community, saying, 'We know that everybody is unique, but you are never alone here.'

What the school should improve

• The approach to checking pupils' understanding in some subjects is not yet fully developed. This means that sometimes gaps in pupils' learning are not identified as effectively as they could be. Leaders should ensure that assessment information accurately provides what pupils know and can do and that this information is used effectively to adapt the curriculum and address errors and misconceptions appropriately.
• Leaders are still refining their approaches to implementing the new phonics scheme. As a result, staff do not consistently make the best use of resources and time. Phonics teaching is not as effective or precise as it could be. Leaders need to continue their work to develop consistency and expertise across the staff team, ensuring that their approach helps all pupils learn to read quickly and effectively.

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