Crowcombe CofE VA Primary School, located in Taunton, Somerset, has been evaluated as a good school following its inspection in March 2019. The leadership and management of the school are effective, with leaders and governors demonstrating a strong commitment to continuous improvement. They have successfully addressed many recommendations from the previous inspection, although some initiatives require more time to be fully integrated into the school’s practices. The pupils at Crowcombe are commendable; they exhibit politeness, friendliness, and good behavior. They are eager to learn and show respect for the opinions of others, contributing to a positive school environment where they feel safe and well cared for.
The quality of teaching, learning, and assessment is also rated as good. The teaching of early reading and phonics is particularly effective, with teachers utilizing assessments to tailor learning to meet the needs of their students. This approach has resulted in good progress in early reading skills. Overall, most pupils make good progress across various subjects, although there are instances where teachers could better utilize assessments to adjust their teaching to meet the specific needs of all pupils. Recent training and support are addressing any weaknesses in teaching, although a small number of pupils may not be sufficiently challenged.
The curriculum is designed to provide a broad range of knowledge across different subjects. Mathematics teaching is effective, with pupils becoming more fluent and capable of applying their skills to solve problems. Leaders have implemented strategies to enhance the teaching of spelling, punctuation, and grammar, leading to improved vocabulary usage among pupils. However, some students lack opportunities to apply their writing skills across subjects, which affects the complexity of their writing.
Leaders effectively utilize additional funding, ensuring that disadvantaged pupils make good progress and achieve well. The progress of pupils with special educational needs and disabilities is also improving, thanks to well-planned teaching that meets their needs. The school provides strong support for pupils' social and emotional development, fostering an environment where they can thrive.
To further improve, the school needs to enhance leadership and management by ensuring that senior leaders provide practical support to staff, enabling consistent pupil success. Additionally, the quality of teaching and assessment must be improved, particularly in challenging pupils to apply their writing skills and ensuring that assessments are used effectively across all subjects.
The governance of the school is strong, with governors committed to supporting school leaders in maintaining high teaching standards. They ask challenging questions during meetings and school visits, although there is room for improvement in holding leaders accountable for pupil progress.
Safeguarding arrangements are effective, with a strong culture of safety within the school. Leaders respond promptly to safeguarding concerns and ensure that staff are well-trained in their responsibilities. The curriculum includes teaching on internet safety, helping pupils understand the risks associated with online activities.
Overall, Crowcombe CofE VA Primary School provides a supportive and effective learning environment where pupils are encouraged to develop academically and personally. The school is well-regarded by parents, with a high level of satisfaction expressed in feedback. The commitment to continuous improvement and the focus on pupil welfare and achievement are evident throughout the school’s practices.
