St Cleer Primary Academy, located in Cornwall, has recently undergone its first inspection since becoming an academy. The inspection, conducted on July 9 and 10, 2024, resulted in an overall effectiveness rating of good across all evaluated areas, including the quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and early years provision. The headteacher, Michele Spencer, leads the school, which is part of the Bridge Multi-Academy Trust, overseen by CEO Adrian Massey and chaired by Maria Ashurst.
The school fosters a strong sense of community and aims to inspire pupils for their futures. Its core values, such as creativity and determination, are integrated into daily school life, and pupils actively engage with these values through various activities. Parents and carers express positive sentiments regarding the relationships their children have with staff and appreciate the leadership and communication regarding their children's progress. Pupils report happiness in their learning experiences and take pride in representing the school in community events, such as the Liskeard Lantern Parade and fundraising activities.
St Cleer Primary Academy offers a well-structured curriculum that is ambitious and carefully planned from early years to Year 6. Pupils with special educational needs and disabilities receive tailored support, ensuring they make good progress. The school has shown strong outcomes in reading and mathematics, while addressing lower writing outcomes by enhancing the English curriculum and providing more writing opportunities across subjects. The improvements in writing quality, particularly among younger pupils, reflect the effectiveness of these changes.
The phonics programme at the school has been strengthened, with staff receiving thorough training. Pupils read books that align with their phonics knowledge, and targeted support is provided for those who may be falling behind. This approach has led to pupils becoming fluent and confident readers, with many expressing enthusiasm for independent reading outside of school.
In the early years, children benefit from effective transition processes, allowing them to settle quickly into a vibrant learning environment. The curriculum is adaptable to their interests, and staff actively support language development through vocabulary modeling. Most pupils adhere to the school's behaviour expectations, although a small minority of older pupils occasionally display less positive attitudes towards learning, leading to some disruptions.
The personal development programme is well-planned and relevant, equipping pupils with knowledge about safety, consent, and cultural awareness. The school provides various extracurricular clubs, although participation among disadvantaged pupils is currently lower. The school lacks sufficient oversight of extracurricular engagement, which hinders its ability to address this issue effectively.
The trust provides robust support through shared professional development opportunities, which staff find beneficial for enhancing their subject knowledge and teaching practices. Staff feel valued and appreciated, with the school considering their well-being in decision-making processes.
The safeguarding arrangements at St Cleer Primary Academy are effective, ensuring a safe environment for all pupils. However, the school needs to improve its oversight of extracurricular participation and address the attitudes of the small group of pupils who do not consistently demonstrate the school's values. By focusing on these areas, the school can further enhance the learning experience for all its pupils.
