Trinity Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School is a small primary school located in Combs, Stowmarket, Suffolk. The school has received a good rating in its recent inspection, reflecting significant improvements since its previous evaluation, which required improvement. The headteacher demonstrates effective leadership with high expectations for both staff and pupils, fostering a positive learning environment. The governance of the school has also strengthened, with governors actively supporting and challenging school leaders to ensure continuous improvement. The school prioritizes the well-being and safety of its pupils, creating a caring and inclusive atmosphere where spiritual, moral, social, and cultural development is emphasized.
Pupils at Trinity are proud of their school and exhibit positive behavior, contributing to a welcoming and respectful community. Their enjoyment of school is evident in their good attendance rates. The school has seen above-average attainment levels at the end of the early years and key stage one, particularly in phonics, reading, and mathematics. The teaching of phonics is highlighted as a strength, effectively supporting younger pupils in their reading and spelling development. All pupils, including those who are disadvantaged and those with special educational needs, are making good progress in their learning.
The curriculum is designed to provide a broad range of enjoyable learning experiences, although there is a noted need for improvement in the systematic development of subject-specific skills outside of English and mathematics. Teaching is generally good, fostering positive attitudes and effective learning, though some inconsistencies exist in a minority of lessons. Parents have expressed a desire for more information regarding their children's progress, indicating an area for further development in communication.
To enhance leadership and management, the school aims to ensure greater consistency in teaching quality by sharing best practices among staff and improving communication with parents. Additionally, there is a focus on enhancing teaching, learning, and assessment in subjects beyond English and mathematics by ensuring that teachers plan effective learning activities that develop pupils' subject-specific skills.
The quality of teaching, learning, and assessment is rated as good, particularly in the early years and key stage one, where phonics instruction is effective. Pupils are encouraged to read widely and enjoy a variety of reading materials, which supports their development in literacy. Assessment practices are utilized well to gauge pupil progress and provide guidance for improvement. The integration of English with other subjects allows for the development of writing skills across the curriculum.
Pupils' personal development and welfare are also rated as good. The school fosters a warm atmosphere where pupils show care and consideration for one another. They understand the concept of bullying and feel confident that any incidents will be addressed promptly. The behavior of pupils is generally good, with staff maintaining high expectations and a consistent behavior management system. Pupils enjoy school and engage positively with their peers and staff.
Overall, Trinity Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School has made commendable progress, demonstrating effective leadership, good teaching practices, and a commitment to the personal development and welfare of its pupils. The school is well-positioned for further improvement, with clear strategies in place to address identified areas for growth.
