Castlecombe Primary School Ofsted Good Grade

In brief, the inspectors told us that the school has improved since the last inspection and that:

• There is a culture of high expectations for staff and pupils and, as a result, the school is providing a good quality of education and continuing to improve.
• Leaders, including governors, have a clear understanding of the school’s performance and are ambitious to improve further.
• Leaders check regularly on the progress that pupils are making. They identify dips and respond to issues effectively.
• The overall quality of teaching and learning is good. As a result, the majority of pupils currently in the school make good progress from their starting points in reading, writing and mathematics.
• Pupils benefit from an interesting, broad curriculum within and beyond the school day.
• Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) and those who are
  disadvantaged make good progress from their starting points.
• The teaching of phonics is a strength of the school. Effective teaching enables pupils to gain early reading skills and use this knowledge when they read and write independently.
• Pupils read with interest and enjoyment. They can describe in detail what they like about the
  book they are reading and have successful strategies to tackle the more difficult words.
• Pupils behave well and show good attitudes to learning. They are polite and welcoming. Pupils of all ages work and play well together.
• Pupils’ well-being and safeguarding are high priorities. Pupils feel very safe in school.
• Pupils enjoy the school and attendance is now in line with the national average. Leaders have worked tirelessly to reduce pupils’ absence.
• High expectations, effective teaching and caring relationships help children in the early years to make good progress.