Settrington All Saints’ Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School is recognized as a good school, demonstrating a strong commitment to fostering a nurturing and inclusive environment. The school is characterized by its small size, which contributes to a close-knit community where kindness, care, and happiness are prevalent. Pupils exhibit confidence and pride in their school, treating each other and staff with respect and courtesy. Parents appreciate the school’s supportive atmosphere, with one describing it as a sanctuary of kindness and consideration.
The learning environment is engaging, with pupils showing enthusiasm for their education. They listen attentively to teachers and generally display good behavior during lessons. While playground behavior can sometimes be lively, the school maintains a safe environment where pupils understand acceptable conduct. The staff actively support pupils in resolving conflicts through a nurturing approach, and there are no reported incidents of bullying.
The school’s personal development curriculum effectively broadens pupils’ understanding of the world beyond their immediate surroundings. Educational trips to various cities, both within the UK and abroad, enhance pupils' awareness of diverse cultures and lifestyles. Pupils are encouraged to be courageous advocates, voicing their opinions on matters important to them, and they participate in community events such as the harvest festival. The school’s Christian values are evident in the pupils’ attitudes, promoting responsible and respectful citizenship.
Settrington All Saints’ offers a broad and balanced curriculum, ensuring that mixed-age classes receive age-appropriate learning opportunities. Recent improvements have been made across all subjects, with curriculum overviews established to guide teachers in building knowledge over time. Notable advancements in mathematics instruction have been implemented, with a focus on teaching in single-year groups to facilitate access to learning. The school collaborates with external experts to refine its mathematics curriculum, ensuring that pupils with special educational needs and disabilities receive tailored support.
Despite these strengths, there are areas for improvement. Some subjects require further development to ensure that learning progresses effectively from the early years through to Year 6. The curriculum does not always clearly outline the specific knowledge that pupils should acquire, which can lead to a lack of ambition in setting learning goals. Consequently, some pupils may not achieve their full potential.
Reading instruction has historically lacked a systematic approach, resulting in some pupils not becoming secure readers. The school has prioritized reading from the early years, with daily reading activities incorporated into the curriculum. Ambitious texts have been selected for study, including Shakespearean works, to enhance pupils' understanding of language. However, the phonics program, while implemented from the start of Reception, sometimes does not adapt quickly enough to meet individual pupil needs, leading to repetition for some and challenges for others.
Governors play an active role in the school, demonstrating commitment and knowledge in making strategic decisions that benefit pupils. Parents express strong support for the school, valuing the wraparound care and extracurricular activities available. The school’s safeguarding arrangements are effective, ensuring a safe environment for all pupils.
In summary, Settrington All Saints’ Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School continues to provide a good education, characterized by a caring community and a commitment to personal development. While there are areas for growth, particularly in curriculum clarity and reading instruction, the school’s strengths in fostering a positive learning environment and engaging pupils in their education are commendable.
