Ofsted

Ofsted rated us ‘requires improvement’ (2017). We recognise the areas for improvement that the report sets out, and are working hard to achieve these quickly, but also securely – we don’t want any ineffective ‘quick fixes’ if this means improvements won’t last.

Despite the judgement, the report does recognise many positive aspects about our school:

The new executive headteacher has a clear understanding of the challenges facing the school. Staff morale is high. His actions are showing signs of improving teaching, especially in Key Stage 1.

Pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is a strength of the school.

Children make good progress in early years because of good teaching and leadership.

Leaders use sports funding well. Pupils enjoy sport and there are high levels of engagement.

Pupils say that they are safe and enjoy school. Behaviour is good and pupils take pride in their work.

Child protection and safeguarding procedures are of a high standard. Staff are vigilant and children are kept safe.

Personal development, behaviour and welfare was judged to be good. Ofsted praised how well our children respect each other and behave around others, both adults and other children. Pupils told the inspector they enjoy school and they feel safe here. We’re proud that the inspection recognises the good work we do around safeguarding, to ensure all our pupils are safe.

Our Early Years provision was also judged to be good. The report notes that “adults have high expectations and provide good opportunities for children to develop good reading, writing and mathematical skills.” As a result, it concludes that children make good progress in Early Years, and children enjoy being there.

Visit Parent View if you’d like to post your views about St James’ CE Primary, and don’t forget the other ways you can express your views.

Find out more about the inspection process in Ofsted’s guide for parents.

SIAMS

SIAMS stands for the Statutory Inspection of Anglican and Methodist Schools – all church schools in England are regularly inspected, mainly to evaluate the extent to which church schools are ‘distinctively and recognisably Christian’. We were last inspected in 2015 and were judged to be good:

The distinctiveness and effectiveness of St James Church of England Primary as a Church of England school are good

School leaders are committed to developing the school and, this has resulted in significant improvement in attainment, progress and attendance since joining the federation in September 2012. Results are now much closer to national averages in Key Stage 2 and above in Key Stage 1.

Christian values such as peace, thoughtfulness and perseverance are explicit and influence all aspects of school life. They make a strong contribution to the high standards of behaviour and the improved achievement of pupils.

Children are well nurtured and this means they are happy, secure and eager to learn.

The school engages well with families to break down barriers to learning and enable children to flourish.

The school environment makes a positive contribution to pupils’ spiritual development.