Little Snoring Community Primary Academy was inspected on 23 and 24 November 2022, receiving an overall effectiveness rating of Requires Improvement. The quality of education, personal development, leadership and management, and early years provision were all rated as Requires Improvement, while behaviour and attitudes were rated as Good. This was the first inspection under section five of the Education Act 2005.
Pupils at the school feel safe and supported by their teachers, who are attentive to their needs. They express happiness in their school environment and demonstrate good behaviour, showing respect and eagerness to learn. The school fosters a positive atmosphere during lessons and at lunchtime, where older pupils help younger ones feel secure. Most pupils report that bullying is not an issue, and if it occurs, it is addressed promptly by staff. While pupils are enthusiastic about learning and most read well, there are inconsistencies in the pace of learning across different lessons. Some pupils experience gaps in their knowledge, which are not always addressed by teachers.
The school provides opportunities for pupils to learn outside the classroom, including visits to local attractions. However, there is a lack of extracurricular clubs and limited involvement in school and community life. Leaders are in the process of implementing a new curriculum to improve educational outcomes, as the previous curriculum was found lacking. In some subjects, leaders have clearly defined the knowledge that pupils should acquire, and teachers present new information effectively. However, there are still areas of the curriculum that require refinement, and some subjects do not build effectively on prior knowledge, hindering the acquisition of more complex understanding.
The introduction of a new reading curriculum has been met with mixed implementation among teachers. While younger pupils practice new sounds effectively, some older pupils struggle with fluency and expression due to inconsistent teaching approaches. Teachers do not always provide regular practice of previously learned sounds, leading to repeated mistakes and slower learning.
Leaders have identified pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities but have not provided sufficient guidance for teachers on how to support these pupils effectively. Consequently, teachers may struggle to adapt the curriculum to meet the needs of all learners. In the early years, children are polite and curious, but they sometimes lack sufficient practice to reinforce their learning.
Pupils demonstrate kindness and compassion, with a basic understanding of different religions and family structures. However, older pupils lack confidence in understanding their personal development as they grow. Their grasp of British values, such as democracy, is limited, although leaders are beginning to address this through the personal, social, and health education curriculum.
Leaders are actively working to improve the school, having made some progress in curriculum changes. However, there is still much work to be done to ensure that all areas of the curriculum are effectively implemented. The trust and local governing body hold leaders accountable, but the support provided by the trust is not always consistent.
The safeguarding arrangements at the school are effective, with robust systems in place to ensure pupil safety. Staff receive appropriate training, and there is a culture of vigilance regarding safeguarding. Pupils are aware of internet safety and know how to protect themselves outside of school. Leaders conduct thorough checks on new staff to ensure their suitability to work with children.
In summary, while Little Snoring Community Primary Academy has strengths in pupil safety and behaviour, it faces challenges in delivering a consistently high-quality education. Leaders are making efforts to improve the curriculum and support for pupils, but further work is needed to ensure that all students receive the education they deserve.
