St Anne’s Church Academy is a happy and welcoming school. The school’s ethos, ‘learning without limits’, is woven through everything that the school does. Pupils are wonderful ambassadors for the school. They are polite and respectful and behave exceptionally well. Pupils understand routines, and there is a buzz of purposeful activity wherever you go. Pupils thoroughly enjoy school and are keen to succeed. Staff have consistently high expectations of pupils. As a result, pupils listen carefully and work hard. Pupils chat enthusiastically about exciting learning experiences, such as the trip to the SS Great Britain. Pupils enjoy learning about differences between their lives and those of their friends in the Traveller community. Staff know pupils and their families well. Adults care deeply about pupils and want the best for them. Staff are sensitive to pupils’ needs and form friendly and supportive relationships with them. Pupils feel safe because they trust adults to look after them. Pupils confirm that bullying is rare. They say there is always someone to turn to if they are worried. The overwhelming majority of parents are very pleased with the school. Typical comments include, ‘I could not be happier with the school,’ and ‘Our children thrive here.’ What does the school do well and what does it need to do better? The school is well led and managed by ambitious and dedicated leaders. Staff are motivated and hard-working. They are well supported by leaders in the school and The Priory Learning Trust. The school provided remote learning during the periods of lockdown. However, leaders are acutely aware that the pandemic has had an impact on pupils’ mental health. Staff work closely with pupils and parents to support pupils’ well-being. They also provide extra teaching, which is helping pupils to catch up on learning they have missed. The school has designed a rich, broad curriculum. In most subjects, teachers use assessment effectively. This enables them to plan and teach well-sequenced lessons which build pupils’ knowledge and skills. Children in Little Learners Nursery get off to a flying start. They take great delight in exploring the stimulating activities adults plan for them. They are well prepared for the start of Reception. In mathematics, children in the early years enjoy finding out which pairs of numbers make 10. Year 5 pupils use their knowledge of place value and times tables facts to multiply decimal numbers. Leaders inspire pupils to develop a love of reading. Children begin reading as soon as they start school. Pupils choose from a wide selection of high-quality books, and read regularly. Pupils enjoy listening to stories that adults read to them. For example, younger pupils enjoy joining in with the story of ‘Superworm’. Pupils in the early stages of reading have regular phonics lessons. However, pupils’ reading books do not consistently match what they are learning. This limits how well they can practise and consolidate their skills in phonics. Pupils are developing their knowledge and skills in geography. For example, Year 2 pupils use maps and compasses when they go orienteering. Year 5 pupils use world maps to locate countries and identify rainforests. They learn about the impact of climate change and deforestation on these regions. In a small number of subjects, leaders have not yet precisely identified what they want pupils to learn. Therefore, sequences of learning do not consistently build on what pupils have learned before. As a result, pupils have some gaps in their knowledge. Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities are well supported by knowledgeable leaders. Staff understand pupils’ needs and provide targeted teaching and pastoral support. This helps pupils to concentrate on their learning and progress through the curriculum. The school supports pupils’ broader development and well-being effectively. For example, ‘Jill Dando reporters’ develop their communication skills when they interview people, such as the Prime Minister and Fiona Bruce. Pupils thoroughly enjoy activities such as sewing, cooking and gardening. Pupils relish taking on positions of responsibility when they join the school parliament or eco committee.