Trefonen CofE Primary School, located in Oswestry, Shropshire, has been rated as a good school following its inspection in May 2019. The leadership team, comprising the headteacher and deputy headteacher, demonstrates strong and determined leadership, effectively utilizing their understanding of the school's strengths and areas for improvement to create appropriate plans for enhancement. Regular checks on the quality of teaching and learning are conducted, and the information gathered is used to provide targeted training for staff. The governing body is ambitious for the school's success, actively engaging with the school to understand its operations and provide effective support and challenge.
The curriculum at Trefonen is broad and balanced, allowing most pupils to make good progress across various subjects. Pupils are particularly enthusiastic about reading, becoming keen and successful readers. However, there are instances where opportunities for deepening knowledge and understanding in certain subjects are limited. A new approach to teaching mathematics has been introduced, providing pupils with a solid grounding in mathematical concepts and problem-solving skills. Nonetheless, there are occasions when pupils do not progress as expected due to tasks being too easy.
Teaching assistants play a vital role in supporting pupils' progress, and recent actions taken by leaders have led to improvements in writing quality. Despite these advancements, further work is needed to ensure that improvements are fully embedded. Pupils exhibit good manners, are polite, and work well together, contributing to a positive school environment. However, the early years provision requires improvement, as children do not make the expected progress.
Most parents and carers express positive views about the school, noting that their children are happy, safe, and making good progress. Nonetheless, some parents feel that their concerns are not adequately addressed. To further enhance the school, leaders are encouraged to continue improving writing quality by ensuring high expectations across all teachers and enhancing communication with parents.
The leadership and management of the school are rated as good, with leaders demonstrating a commitment to providing a high-quality education. Subject leaders have a clear understanding of their responsibilities and have received training to enhance their skills. The curriculum is designed to ensure that pupils acquire subject-specific knowledge and skills, although some areas require further development to allow for deeper learning.
Pupils' personal development is well supported, with the curriculum providing opportunities to learn about safety, healthy relationships, and British values. Behaviour is generally good, with pupils understanding school rules and consequences. Attendance is above the national average, indicating a positive school culture.
Outcomes for pupils are good, with most achieving the expected standards in reading, writing, and mathematics. However, there is variability in progress across different year groups, particularly in writing. The school has made strides in phonics instruction, with most pupils achieving the required standard in the Year 1 phonics screening check.
In the early years, while relationships are positive and children generally display good attitudes, there is a need for improvement in planning activities that meet individual needs. The physical environment requires further enhancement to promote effective learning. Overall, Trefonen CofE Primary School is a good school with a strong foundation for continued improvement, particularly in writing and early years provision.
