St Clare’s is a welcoming, friendly school where pupils are happy and feel safe. Pupils know that staff are there to help them if they have any worries or concerns. They enjoy playing with their friends at playtimes and joining in after-school activities. Carefully selected trips and residential visits enrich pupils’ learning. Pupils live up to the high expectations that leaders have of them, both academically and socially. Most pupils, including those in the early years and those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), achieve well. Pupils behave well. Classrooms and playtimes are calm and well organised. Pupils are respectful towards each other and towards adults. Pupils are confident that if bullying were to occur, staff would deal with it quickly and effectively. Pupils are encouraged to become responsible citizens from a very young age. For example, pupils from the Reception class to Year 6 are elected to be school councillors. Older pupils particularly enjoy their roles as buddies to younger children. Parents and carers hold the school in high regard. They would happily recommend this school to others. As one parent commented: ‘St Clare’s is a wonderful school. Staff really care about the children.’ What does the school do well and what does it need to do better? Leaders have an accurate overview of what the school does well and of those aspects that can be developed further. All staff strive to ensure that pupils, including children in the early years and pupils with SEND, achieve their very best. Leaders have designed a curriculum that meets the varied needs of pupils. Pupils learn the full range of national curriculum subjects. In most subjects, leaders are clear about the essential knowledge that pupils must learn and the order in which this should be taught. For example, the mathematics curriculum sets out clearly the specific knowledge and skills that pupils need to remember, from the early years through to the end of Year 6. However, in some subjects, leaders have not made the knowledge that they want pupils to learn clear enough for teachers. In addition, in some subjects leaders have not fully considered the building blocks in learning that children should acquire in the early years to prepare them fully for learning in key stage 1. Ensuring that all pupils become confident, lifelong readers is a priority for leaders. Children, including those in the Nursery class, are introduced to the joy of books as soon as they start school. Pupils are enthusiastic about reading. Older pupils have a growing knowledge of authors. Most pupils read with high levels of accuracy and fluency. Leaders have planned a phonics programme which ensures that pupils learn new sounds in a logical order. Well-trained staff deliver this effectively. The books that pupils read are closely matched to the sounds that they have learned. Staff use assessment systems well to identify those pupils who fall behind in their learning. Staff intervene quickly to provide effective support to help pupils to catch up. All staff regularly access training to keep their subject knowledge fresh and up to date. This ensures that new learning is presented clearly to pupils. In lessons, teachers address misconceptions sensitively. For example, in mathematics, teachers encourage pupils to use their prior knowledge to identify errors. Staff ensure that learning is not disrupted by poor behaviour. Pupils listen well, participate enthusiastically and show a keen interest in learning. For example, children in the Reception class joined in eagerly when learning to count backwards from twenty. There are clear systems in place to ensure that pupils with SEND are identified quickly. Leaders provide carefully planned support to ensure that these pupils can access the same learning opportunities as their peers. Leaders have planned thoughtfully to ensure that all pupils, including those with SEND and those in the early years, have a broad range of experiences beyond the academic. Pupils have opportunities to be involved in school performances. They represent their school in competitive sporting events locally and are proud of their achievements. Pupils develop a respect for people’s differences. They learn about other faiths and religions. Pupils develop their skills as citizens by taking part in charitable fundraising efforts locally and further afield. Governors know the school well. They are supportive of the headteacher, but are not afraid to ask challenging questions when required. Staff are proud to work at the school. They appreciate the support leaders provide to ensure they have an acceptable work-life balance. Subject leaders have time to monitor their areas of responsibility to ensure that the intended curriculum is being delivered as they intend.