Dishforth Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School, located in North Yorkshire, has been evaluated as a good school following its inspection in November 2019. The school is characterized by a strong Christian ethos that influences its policies and practices, creating an inclusive environment where pupils feel happy and supported. The headteacher and staff are dedicated to fostering a positive atmosphere, and parents express high levels of satisfaction with the education their children receive.
Pupils demonstrate positive attitudes towards learning, particularly in older year groups, where they engage attentively in lessons and are eager to participate. The school has implemented an exceptional personal development program that significantly enhances pupils' physical and mental well-being. Pupils exhibit a strong understanding of safety, including online safety, and report that bullying is not an issue at the school. This is supported by behavior logs that confirm a positive behavior culture.
The school has faced challenges due to staffing changes, which have affected subject leadership. However, the leadership team has reorganized effectively, introducing new leaders for key stages and reviewing the curriculum to enhance educational outcomes. Mathematics has been a focus area, especially after previous outcomes fell into the bottom 20 percent nationally. Leaders have made improvements to the mathematics curriculum, ensuring that pupils build knowledge and skills progressively, which has led to increased enjoyment and understanding of the subject.
Reading is another priority, with efforts to instill a love of reading among pupils. The school has invested in a new library and revised its approach to guided reading, transitioning to whole-class lessons that utilize high-quality texts. While pupils report enjoying reading more, there are still areas for improvement in the precision of teaching comprehension skills.
Phonics instruction is consistent and effective, with daily lessons for pupils in key stage one and Reception. This approach has successfully built pupils' phonics knowledge, enabling them to apply it in reading and spelling. However, variability in handwriting styles has been noted, and leaders are addressing this issue.
Science education is well-structured, with a specialist teacher delivering engaging lessons that encourage investigation and experimentation. The curriculum for other subjects is thoughtfully planned, although some key concepts are not yet fully integrated, particularly in history. Leaders are working to refine these schemes to enhance pupils' understanding of subject-specific concepts.
In the early years, children receive a strong foundation, with teachers effectively planning activities that build on prior knowledge. Pupils with special educational needs and disabilities are well-supported, ensuring their work aligns with their individual targets.
The school's safeguarding arrangements are robust, with the headteacher maintaining close relationships with pupils and families to identify any concerns promptly. Staff undergo thorough training to stay updated on safeguarding practices.
To improve further, the school must continue refining its curriculum schemes to ensure key concepts are clearly identified and taught across all subjects. New leaders need support to fully engage in monitoring the school's effectiveness. The recent changes in guided reading require secure implementation to ensure comprehension skills are taught effectively. Overall, Dishforth Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School is committed to providing a high-quality education and fostering a supportive learning environment for all its pupils.
