Ofsted conducted a short inspection of St Peter’s Church of England Primary School on 2 July 2019, following its previous judgment of good in July 2016. The inspection confirmed that the school continues to maintain a good quality of education. The leadership team, under Mr. Magnus Smedley, has effectively identified priorities and secured improvements since he took up the headteacher role in January 2017. The school has seen enhancements in teaching and pupil outcomes, particularly in phonics, reading, and mathematics, while ensuring high attendance rates among pupils.
Mr. Smedley’s commitment to providing the best possible education is evident in the motivated staff team and the clear focus on developing pupils' communication skills alongside their spiritual, moral, social, and cultural development. This approach has fostered a respectful and articulate student body, well-versed in various faiths and cultures, promoting tolerance and understanding. The school’s ethos is rooted in Christian values, emphasizing peace, hope, and joy, which contributes to a caring environment.
The school has effectively engaged with partner schools and external consultants to provide tailored professional development for staff, resulting in a valued and well-equipped teaching team. Governors share the commitment to continuous improvement and hold leaders accountable for performance. Safeguarding measures are robust, with staff knowledgeable about potential risks and responsibilities, ensuring a safe environment for all pupils.
The inspection highlighted the prioritization of reading development, with a coherent approach that places reading at the heart of the curriculum. High-quality texts are used to link subjects, and pupils are encouraged to read widely, resulting in improved reading skills and a love for literature. Teaching staff demonstrate secure subject knowledge, designing challenging activities that enhance pupils' comprehension and vocabulary. However, there are instances where pupils' responses to questions could be further developed to deepen their understanding.
Pupils' attainment in reading has improved, aligning with national averages, and phonics teaching has been effective, with nearly all pupils reading fluently by the end of key stage one. Mathematics, however, has been identified as an area needing further improvement, as previous attainment levels were below average. The school has implemented professional development for teachers, leading to better sequencing of learning and opportunities for pupils to engage in mathematical reasoning.
Early years education is strong, with children making good progress through well-designed activities that cater to their needs. Attendance has improved significantly due to reinforced systems addressing lateness and low attendance, with rates now just below average.
Next steps for the school include enhancing mathematics teaching to enable more pupils to reach higher standards and ensuring that teachers maintain high expectations for pupils' understanding of texts. The inspection findings reflect a school that is committed to continuous improvement and providing a supportive learning environment for all its pupils.
