Ofsted conducted a short inspection of Goodrich C of E Primary School on 4 July 2018, following its previous judgment of good in March 2014. The inspection confirmed that the school continues to maintain a good quality of education. The leadership team, led by Headteacher Karen Miles, demonstrates calm determination and a clear sense of purpose. They rigorously monitor the quality of teaching and pupil achievement, resulting in a precise understanding of the school's strengths and areas for development. The school fosters a nurturing environment where pupils are known as individuals, and its motto of achieve, believe, care is evident in daily activities. Strong Christian values underpin the school's ethos, promoting positive learning behaviors such as teamwork and perseverance.
Teachers share high expectations for pupil achievement, and staff morale is notably high. The school prioritizes regular training for staff to enhance classroom practices, leading to consistent approaches across all classes. For instance, improvements in questioning techniques have been observed, although there is room for more opportunities for pupils to record their reasoning in independent work, particularly in mathematics. Parents and carers express overwhelming positivity about the school, noting that their children are happy, safe, and making good progress. They appreciate the sense of community and the diverse opportunities available to their children. The governing body is committed and experienced, providing a balance of challenge and support to school leaders.
The school has made significant strides in improving early years provision, particularly in developing outdoor spaces, which now offer a wide range of learning opportunities. The teaching in early years is strong, and pupils make good progress across all areas of learning. The school has also addressed previous recommendations regarding the quality of teaching for the most able pupils by implementing a mastery approach in mathematics, encouraging pupils to apply their skills in real-life contexts. Literacy skills have been enhanced through a new approach to reading comprehension, utilizing high-quality texts and challenging pupils with oral questions that require inference and deduction.
Safeguarding measures are effective, with a strong culture of safety maintained throughout the school. Staff receive regular training, ensuring they are knowledgeable about safeguarding policies and vigilant for any signs of risk. Pupils report feeling safe and understand the importance of treating others kindly. The inspection focused on writing, an area identified for development. Evidence shows a strong approach to teaching grammar, and pupils are able to apply this knowledge effectively. However, there is a need for more opportunities for pupils to explore vocabulary and experiment with less common words to enhance their writing further.
The school has implemented a new approach to spelling, which is beginning to show positive results, although it remains an area for continued focus. Overall, the school demonstrates a commitment to improvement, with effective systems in place to monitor pupil progress. The next steps include providing pupils with more opportunities to explore vocabulary, encouraging them to record their reasoning in mathematics, and continuing to enhance spelling quality across the school. The inspection findings highlight the school's strengths and areas for further development, ensuring a clear path for ongoing improvement.
