Mrs Ethelston’s C of E Primary Academy, located in Uplyme, Devon, has been evaluated as a good school overall during its recent inspection. The headteacher, Katy Lyons, leads the school, which is part of the Acorn Academy Trust. The trust provides additional support and oversight, with Andrea Rice serving as the chief executive officer. The school has a strong ethos rooted in Christian values, emphasizing community and personal development.
Pupils at the school demonstrate high levels of engagement and attendance, largely due to the enjoyable and ambitious curriculum in place. The school’s values promote a sense of responsibility among students, with Year 6 pupils taking on various roles such as librarians and eco committee members. This involvement fosters a strong understanding of community and prepares them well for future challenges. The school encourages collaboration and positive behavior, with reward systems that promote collective responsibility among students.
The curriculum is carefully designed across all subjects, with a focus on building knowledge from an early age. The school prioritizes reading, ensuring that children in Reception are exposed to rich language and storytelling, which enhances their vocabulary. The emphasis on phonics instruction has proven effective, enabling pupils, including those with special educational needs, to become fluent readers. The school has also taken steps to address previous weaknesses in published outcomes, with improvements beginning to show in various areas of the curriculum.
Despite these strengths, the school recognizes the need for improvement in certain areas. Assessment practices in some subjects have not been effectively utilized to identify gaps in pupils’ knowledge, which can hinder their progression to more complex work. The school is actively working to strengthen these assessment methods to ensure that all pupils can advance successfully. Additionally, while the quality of written work is improving, there are still instances of inaccuracies in punctuation and spelling that need to be addressed to enhance communication of knowledge.
Pupils exhibit positive attitudes towards learning, and the school has implemented measures to monitor attendance closely, resulting in significant improvements. The school offers a variety of enrichment opportunities, including productions and community service projects, which contribute to the development of pupils’ character and understanding of diverse cultures. The inclusive nature of extracurricular activities ensures that all pupils can participate and benefit from these experiences.
The school’s approach to relationships and health education is sensitive and effective, equipping pupils with a mature understanding of healthy relationships and protected characteristics. This preparation is crucial as they transition to secondary education. The governing body and trustees are actively engaged in their roles, providing support to staff and ensuring the school operates effectively.
Safeguarding arrangements are robust, creating a safe environment for all pupils. The school is committed to continuous improvement, focusing on enhancing assessment practices and the quality of written work to better reflect the high expectations set for pupils. Overall, Mrs Ethelston’s C of E Primary Academy is a good school that is well-positioned to build on its strengths and address areas for development, ensuring that all pupils receive a high-quality education that prepares them for future success.
