Ofsted conducted a short inspection of Tackley Church of England Primary School on 21 March 2019, following its previous judgment of good in September 2013. The inspection confirmed that the school continues to maintain a good quality of education. The leadership team, under the headteacher, has shown determination and focus in driving school improvement since the school became an academy in January 2017. The headteacher has a clear understanding of the school's strengths and areas for development, which has led to the creation of focused development plans. Regular checks are made to ensure these plans effectively raise pupil achievement. Collaboration with other leaders has enhanced the analysis of performance data and secured improvements. Staff morale is high, with all who responded to the Ofsted survey expressing pride in working at the school.
Pupils enjoy attending school, with nearly all expressing satisfaction with their learning experiences. They particularly appreciate mathematics and English, where teachers provide clear feedback on their progress and areas for improvement. Special activity days, such as those focused on mathematical games, further enhance their engagement. Pupils feel safe and supported, reporting that conflicts are resolved effectively by staff. Most parents value the community atmosphere of the school and commend the leadership for creating a warm and safe learning environment. However, some parents raised concerns about staffing stability, which the headteacher acknowledges and is addressing through community engagement.
The school has successfully maintained the strengths identified in the previous inspection. Governors fulfill their roles effectively, demonstrating a good understanding of the school's strengths and needs. They engage with the school through visits and discussions with pupils. The early years foundation stage, including the newly added Nursery, provides a strong start for children, with staff skilled in fostering curiosity through engaging learning experiences.
The school has addressed previous areas for improvement, particularly in raising awareness of cultural diversity through the curriculum. Recent activities have led to thoughtful discussions among pupils and community fundraising efforts. Safeguarding measures are robust, with all necessary checks conducted before staff appointments, and training is up to date. Both staff and parents feel that pupils are safe at school, and pupils trust adults to keep them safe.
During the inspection, attendance was noted as good across all pupil groups, with tailored support for those facing challenges. The quality of mathematics teaching has improved, with pupils making good progress. Teachers effectively address misconceptions, and pupils demonstrate strong computational skills. However, opportunities for applying mathematics across the wider curriculum are limited. In writing, teachers systematically teach spelling, punctuation, and grammar, leading to improved standards, although some spelling choices remain inconsistent. Pupils enjoy writing and utilize their love of reading to enhance their writing skills, but writing in other subjects lacks depth.
Next steps for the school include embedding spelling accuracy across the curriculum, improving writing quality in other subjects, providing more opportunities for applying mathematical skills, and strengthening partnerships with parents to better understand their concerns. The inspection findings highlight the school's commitment to continuous improvement and the positive impact of leadership on pupil outcomes.
