St Peter’s Brafferton Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School is located in Helperby, North Yorkshire, and has maintained its overall judgement of good following an ungraded inspection on July 13, 2023. The inspection highlighted a warm and welcoming environment where leaders and staff foster a family-like atmosphere. The school’s motto, “small school, big heart,” is evident in the strong relationships between pupils and staff, who ensure that students feel listened to and cared for. High expectations set by leaders and governors are reflected in the exemplary behaviour of pupils, who feel safe and understand the difference between falling out with friends and bullying, which is not a concern at the school.
Pupils excel in core subjects such as reading and mathematics, benefiting from a well-structured curriculum. Early reading is supported through focused phonics lessons starting in Nursery, where children engage with rhythm and rhyme. This foundation continues into Reception, where children eagerly participate in reading activities. The mathematics curriculum is sequenced appropriately for each year group, allowing teachers to adapt lessons for mixed-age classes effectively. However, the inspection noted that learning in subjects like history and design technology is less secure, indicating a need for improvement in these areas.
Parents express overwhelming positivity about the school, appreciating its inclusive and caring ethos. The school has developed a clear curriculum in reading and mathematics, ensuring that pupils make a positive start in these core subjects. However, the curriculum in subjects such as design technology and history lacks the same level of structure, making it challenging for pupils to build and retain knowledge over time. Leaders recognize the importance of developing these subjects and are aware of the need to map out the small steps required for effective learning.
Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities receive well-matched support, allowing them to access the full curriculum. The school promotes warm relationships between staff and pupils, and a newly implemented behaviour policy is positively impacting behaviour across the school. Pupils are aware of the golden rules and understand the importance of being ready, respectful, and safe. Beyond lessons, pupils engage in various extracurricular activities, including music, gardening, and book clubs, which contribute to their personal and social development.
The personal, social, and health education curriculum prepares pupils for life, fostering empathy and understanding of equality and diverse family structures. Leaders prioritize staff workload and promote teamwork, with governors providing effective support and challenge. The school community is characterized by harmony and engagement with families.
Safeguarding arrangements are effective, with staff receiving timely training to ensure pupil safety. Leaders maintain clear procedures and records, and pupils recognize the various ways staff keep them safe. The PSHE curriculum, along with external visits, helps pupils understand age-appropriate dangers.
To improve, the school needs to enhance the mapping of knowledge and skills in the wider curriculum, ensuring that pupils can connect their learning effectively. Consistent opportunities to check pupil understanding in these subjects are necessary, as is adapting the curriculum to meet the needs of mixed-age classes. Overall, St Peter’s Brafferton is a supportive and nurturing environment, with a strong foundation in core subjects, while recognizing the need for development in other areas of the curriculum.
