Ruth’s Updates

In this month’s update, read about our new Windows and Mirrors interactive booklist, explore our PSC support and see our latest updates to the School Portal – including new APC planner functionality.

Stanley St Peters Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School, West Yorkshire

“The teaching of early reading is a clear strength. It ensures that pupils read fluently. Pupils who are developing their early reading skills receive precise support to keep up. Recent work to further improve strategies to teach writing are showing impact in writing across the curriculum.”
School Inspection: Strong standard in six areas, Expected standard in one area
Previous Inspection: Good

Rivermead Primary School, Berkshire

“Children thrive in Reception Year and make a flying start to their education. […] Staff prioritise early reading […]. As a result, children excel. They quickly gain fluency and understanding and build their vocabulary well. Attainment in reading […] is often above the national average.”
Strong standard in four areas, Expected standard in three areas
Previous Inspection: No previous inspection

Epsom Primary and Nursery School, Surrey

“Phonics outcomes have improved rapidly over the past 3 years and are now above the national average. […] Reading is a high priority. Staff teach reading through a well structured programme, and phonics teaching is consistent and effective. Pupils read books that match the sounds they know, which helps them practise and develop fluency.”
School Inspection: Expected standard in all areas
Previous Inspection: Good

St Matthew’s CofE Primary School, West Midlands

“Those at the early stages of reading benefit from high-quality phonics lessons and timely extra help. The teaching of handwriting is a strength. Pupils develop accurate letter formation and their work is beautifully presented. […] Pupils consistently perform well in the Year 1 phonics check.”
School Inspection: Strong standard in four areas, Expected standard in three areas
Previous Inspection: Good

Spellbrook CofE Primary School, Hertfordshire

“pupils achieve well in phonics, where results continue to exceed national averages. […] Teachers begin teaching early reading as soon as children enter the Reception Year. Consistent phonics teaching from the start helps children excel in this area as they move on to their next stages of learning.”
School Inspection: Expected standard in all areas
Previous Inspection: Good

Stuart Road Primary Academy, Devon

“Pupils achieve well because staff track learning closely and address gaps quickly. Effective phonics teaching leads to outcomes above national averages in the phonics screening check in Year 1. […] Younger pupils begin each day with high-quality phonics, taught appropriately by well-trained staff. Pupils are supported to develop their writing alongside phonics and through studying different types of texts. Daily handwriting practice secures pupils’ writing fluency.”
School Inspection: Strong standard in two areas, Expected standard in five areas.
Previous Inspection: Good

Sandcross Primary School, Surrey

“In the Reception Year, routines for the teaching of phonics are well established. Children revisit sounds regularly. Targeted catch-up ensures that those who need additional support keep up with the pace of the programme. Children apply sounds confidently in their independent writing across both indoor and outdoor areas and take pride in sharing their work with adults.”
School Inspection: Strong standard in three areas and Expected standard in four areas.
Previous Inspection: Good

Elmhurst Primary School, London

“Key skills in reading, writing […] are prioritised and revisited, with pupils practising new ideas step by step before applying them independently. The curriculum ensures that pupils have the knowledge that they need to read with fluency and accuracy. As a result, pupils engage deeply with their reading, demonstrating their ability to discuss authors’ choices, to imagine settings and to sustain interest across a wide range of texts. Phonics is taught systematically, and children practise blending sounds and segmenting words confidently, quickly building their knowledge to read and write independently.”
School Inspection: Exceptional in six areas, Strong standard in one area.
Previous Inspection: Outstanding

Torre Church of England Academy, Devon

“Communication and language are a clear priority. Phonics is taught well. Children make good progress, ensuring that they are ready for Year 1. Children are encouraged to be independent, resilient learners from the start. […] Although some pupils in the early years start school with lower than average levels of development, most quickly gain the language, communication, number, phonics and handwriting skills they need for Year 1.”
School Inspection: Strong standard in all areas
Previous Inspection: Good