Ofsted conducted a short inspection of Stone Church of England Combined School on 9 May 2019, following its previous judgment of good in April 2015. The inspection confirmed that the school continues to maintain a good quality of education. The leadership team, under the headteacher since September 2015, has effectively fostered a collaborative environment among staff and governors, focusing on providing the best possible education for pupils. There is recognition that some pupils, particularly the most able, could achieve more, and efforts to address this are underway.
The school actively engages parents and the wider community in its development, which has been positively received. Parents appreciate the community feel of the school, with one parent highlighting their willingness to recommend it to others. Pupils express pride in their school, demonstrating a strong work ethic and enjoyment in their learning. The school environment promotes values of tolerance and respect, contributing to pupils feeling safe and secure. Opportunities for older pupils to assist younger ones, such as reading to Year 1 students, foster a sense of responsibility and community.
The inspection noted that the school has maintained its strengths identified in previous inspections, including effective leadership, above-average attainment at the end of Year 6, and good teaching. There has been a focus on improving mathematics teaching to enhance pupil progress, which has shown positive results. Pupils are now making more consistent progress due to effective teaching strategies and careful planning that ensures understanding before moving on to new concepts. The integration of mathematical skills across other subjects has also been enhanced.
In 2018, attainment in reading, writing, and mathematics at the end of key stage 2 was above national figures, with average progress reported over the last three years. Recent assessments indicate that some pupils are now making more than expected progress. The school has established a strong safeguarding culture, with pupils feeling secure and trusting the adults in the school. Clear policies and procedures ensure that safeguarding is a shared responsibility, and regular monitoring of records supports robust practices.
The inspection focused on the progress of pupils in writing and mathematics, particularly the most able. Evidence showed that improvements are being made, with pupils applying their knowledge in various problem-solving activities in mathematics and enhancing their writing skills through focused vocabulary and sentence structure development. The curriculum has been reviewed to better meet pupils' needs, incorporating life skills that promote resilience and a positive attitude towards learning.
Leaders are committed to improving teaching quality through structured support and accountability measures. Teachers value the professional development opportunities provided and are encouraged to collaborate for the benefit of pupil outcomes. The recent progress in pupil learning reflects the effectiveness of these initiatives. The inspection concluded with recommendations for leaders to ensure that strategies for challenging the most able pupils are consistently implemented across all classes, enabling all pupils to reach their full potential. The findings will be shared with relevant stakeholders, and the letter will be published on the Ofsted website.
