Ofsted conducted a monitoring inspection of St Michael’s Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School in Lyme Regis on 26 April 2023. This inspection was prompted by the school receiving two consecutive judgments of requires improvement in previous inspections. The inspection aimed to evaluate the progress made by the school since the last graded inspection and to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on its operations.
During the inspection, discussions were held with the headteacher, staff, governors, and a representative from the local authority regarding the actions taken to enhance the school. The inspector observed lessons, coaching sessions, and reviewed a sample of student work, which contributed to the overall assessment of the school’s performance.
The findings indicate that St Michael’s continues to require improvement. While leaders have made some progress in enhancing the school, further efforts are necessary for it to achieve a good rating. Changes in staffing have occurred since the last inspection, with some staff members taking on new roles within the school. The newly implemented approach to teaching mathematics has shown effectiveness, with a well-sequenced curriculum and teaching resources that align well with it. This has positively impacted pupils' understanding and their ability to connect new learning with prior knowledge.
Phonics teaching has also seen improvements, with a clear and consistent structure now in place. This has significantly aided pupils in learning to read, and staff are developing the necessary expertise to teach reading effectively. However, there is still a need for further training to ensure that all staff deliver this instruction with the required precision. Pupils at risk of falling behind are receiving the support they need to catch up with their peers.
The school is in the process of implementing a new curriculum across all subjects, which is more ambitious in terms of what pupils are expected to learn. All teaching staff have received training on this new curriculum, and they are working enthusiastically to implement it. However, some aspects of the curriculum are not yet fully developed, and certain staff members lack the necessary knowledge to support pupils effectively.
Leaders have prioritized addressing the areas of weakness identified in the previous inspection, taking into account staff workload in their approach. Governors are aware of the priority areas for improvement and have allowed leaders to focus on these. Nevertheless, the plans put forth by leaders are not always sufficiently clear regarding the expected impact of their actions, which limits governors' ability to hold leaders accountable effectively.
The school has benefited from various external support and challenge, including collaboration with the local authority, local subject hubs, and the diocese, which has aided staff in developing the curriculum. The ongoing support is crucial for the school as it continues to work towards improvement.
In summary, while St Michael’s Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School has made some strides in its improvement journey, it still requires further work to reach a good standard. The commitment of the staff and leadership is evident, but clarity in planning and execution will be essential for sustained progress. The school community is encouraged to continue building on the positive changes already initiated to ensure that all pupils receive the quality education they deserve.
