Ofsted conducted a short inspection of St Lawrence Church of England Primary School on 6 February 2019, following its previous judgment of good in November 2014. The inspection confirmed that the school continues to maintain a good quality of education. The leadership team, under Mrs. Kerry Malcolm, has shown a strong commitment to the school and its community, fostering high aspirations for both pupils and staff. They have established beneficial partnerships with local schools and universities to enhance the school's development.
The school promotes a positive climate for learning, prioritizing the well-being of pupils and their families. Staff have successfully cultivated an environment where respect and inclusion are paramount, enabling pupils to thrive. During discussions, pupils expressed empathy for their peers and highlighted the supportive nature of the staff. The majority of pupils enjoy attending school, appreciating the engaging and varied learning experiences provided by their teachers.
Leaders are well-acquainted with the school community and are proactive in offering support where needed. Parents have expressed high levels of satisfaction with the school's management and communication, noting the dedication of the staff to meet each child's needs. The school has developed a cohesive team of staff who work collaboratively to enhance pupil progress. Training programs for staff are well-organized, ensuring continuous professional development, particularly in areas like mathematics, which has positively impacted pupil engagement and achievement.
The leadership team has effectively addressed previous areas for improvement, including enhancing the presentation of pupils' work and refining assessment practices. The school has implemented a robust system for monitoring pupil learning, leading to strong progress. Governors have also improved their contributions to school improvement by actively engaging in monitoring visits and holding leaders accountable for progress.
While the school improvement plan identifies appropriate priorities, it is noted that the objectives could be more focused and precise to facilitate quicker improvements. Safeguarding measures are effective, with thorough checks in place for staff and volunteers. The school maintains well-organized safeguarding records and collaborates with external agencies to support pupils and families in need.
The inspection explored several lines of inquiry, including the progress of pupils in phonics and the performance of most-able pupils in mathematics. Although phonics outcomes have shown improvement, they remain below the national average. Leaders are taking steps to enhance phonics instruction, ensuring that activities are engaging and tailored to pupils' needs. Observations indicated that pupils are developing their phonics skills effectively.
In mathematics, the leadership team is focused on improving the teaching of most-able pupils, who are now being challenged appropriately. Feedback from pupils indicates that they find their work stimulating and feel they are consistently learning. However, some pupils still perceive their work as too easy, suggesting that further refinement in differentiation may be necessary.
Attendance has been a concern, with a decline noted over the past three years. However, leaders are implementing strategies to improve attendance and have successfully reduced the rate of fixed-period exclusions. While attendance is improving, leaders need a clearer overview of trends to inform their plans for further enhancement.
In summary, St Lawrence Church of England Primary School continues to provide a good quality of education, with effective leadership and a strong commitment to pupil well-being. The school is making progress in addressing areas for improvement, although there is room for refinement in planning and monitoring to ensure rapid advancements in pupil outcomes.
