On 9 February 2022, a monitoring inspection was conducted at Carleton Endowed CofE Primary School, following its designation of serious weaknesses in June 2021. The inspection aimed to evaluate the actions taken by the school leadership to address the identified areas for improvement. The interim headteacher has fostered a strong focus on improvement, ensuring that all staff share high expectations and ambitions for the school. Professional development and support have been provided to senior and middle leaders, contributing to a resilient team ethos among the staff. The school has maintained effective safeguarding procedures, with staff trained to keep pupils safe and to report any concerns. Strong partnerships with external agencies have facilitated early help for children and families.
The curriculum has been revised to ensure a sequenced and progressive approach from Reception to Year 6. Leaders have identified essential learning steps to deepen pupils' understanding across subjects. Regular assessments are used to gauge pupils' recall of prior learning, and there is evidence of connections being made in their learning. The early reading program is well-established, with staff trained to deliver it effectively. Teachers utilize assessments to identify pupils who may need additional support, and interventions are in place to help them keep pace with their peers.
The interim headteacher has sought assistance from the local special educational needs adviser and the SEN hub, which has improved the provision for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities. Parents are encouraged to participate in developing individual learning plans for their children, which are effectively utilized by teachers in the classroom. However, there is recognition that further work is needed to adapt classroom environments to meet the diverse needs of all pupils.
The interim executive board (IEB) understands the school's priorities and seeks external validation to support the information received from leaders. They hold leaders accountable and are collaborating with the local authority and diocese to identify a suitable sponsor for the school's academisation. The school has benefited from a range of external support, including from the diocese, which has helped maintain its church school ethos. The local authority, national leader in education, and local hubs have also provided valuable assistance, contributing to the rapid improvements observed since the previous inspection.
The inspector's evaluation included observations of the school's operations, document scrutiny, and discussions with the interim headteacher, senior leaders, staff, pupils, and governance representatives. The inspector also listened to pupils reading and reviewed samples of their work. Overall, the inspection findings indicate that the school is making effective progress towards addressing the serious weaknesses designation, with leaders taking appropriate actions to enhance the quality of education and support for all pupils.
