Ofsted conducted a short inspection of Salhouse Voluntary Controlled Primary School on 27 September 2018, following its previous judgment of good in 2013. The inspection confirmed that the school continues to maintain a good quality of education. The leadership team has effectively addressed areas for improvement identified in the last inspection. Since becoming headteacher two years ago, Ms. Julie Church and her staff have fostered a collaborative team environment characterized by high expectations for both staff and pupils. Parents express appreciation for the school's welcoming atmosphere and the support their children receive from teachers.
The school has made significant improvements to the learning environment, notably through the construction of a new nursery building, which provides an inspiring space for both indoor and outdoor learning. The leadership team works closely with the governing body to ensure the quality of education remains high, and they actively engage with the school community to set and monitor improvement targets. Governors are well-informed and effectively hold the leadership accountable for pupil progress while ensuring safeguarding procedures are robust.
Parents generally express positive views about the school, noting that their children are happy and making good progress. Pupils demonstrate good behavior in classrooms and during playtime, and they feel safe at school. The inspection found that instances of poor behavior are rare, and staff manage any issues effectively.
Pupil outcomes at the end of key stages are generally comparable to or better than those of similar pupils nationally. However, there is room for improvement in the proportion of pupils achieving higher standards in certain subjects at the end of key stage two. Despite this, evidence shows that pupils make good progress from their starting points. The school collects accurate assessment data across the curriculum, allowing staff to identify and support pupils who may be falling behind. However, there is a need for more effective use of this data in planning for non-core subjects.
Safeguarding practices are effective, with leaders ensuring that all necessary checks on staff and volunteers are conducted. Staff are well-trained and knowledgeable about safeguarding procedures, and they work collaboratively with external agencies to support vulnerable pupils. Pupils report feeling safe and confident in discussing any concerns with adults at the school.
The inspection focused on the quality of teaching, learning, and assessment in reading, finding that the school provides a solid foundation in phonics skills in the early years, which is applied across the curriculum. The teaching of reading is integrated into various subjects, promoting a love for reading among pupils. The school also supports higher-attaining pupils effectively, providing opportunities for them to develop sophisticated skills in writing and mathematics.
The curriculum is well-structured and engaging, with a focus on interesting themes and the development of specialist vocabulary. However, there is a need for teachers to enhance their ability to use assessment information to plan for learning in subjects beyond English and mathematics. The provision for two-year-old children has been positively received, with staff utilizing the new learning environment to support early education effectively.
Next steps for the school include ensuring that mathematics teaching consistently challenges all pupils and that assessment information is used more effectively across the broader curriculum. Overall, the inspection highlighted the school's strengths while identifying areas for further development to enhance the educational experience for all pupils.
