School Improvement Priorities

Objective 1:

To improve the quality of teaching and learning so it is consistently good or better across the school and the proportion of outstanding teaching increases

“We aim to provide high quality teaching and learning”

Impact: What will success look like?

100% of teaching is graded as good or better, with a significant proportion graded as outstanding over time

Outcomes at EYFS, KS1 and KS2 improve from previous year, and exceed the National Average (see targets on attached page below)

Teachers can articulate the positive impact that CPD has had on their practice

Pupils have high expectations set for them and work in books is demonstrative of good progress

Performance appraisal is effective in enabling staff to be successful

Objective 2:

To develop curriculum leadership

“St Matthew’s is committed to providing a stimulating environment, excellent teaching and learning together with a strong Christian message that enables children to flourish.”

Impact: What will success look like?

Curriculum leaders have a significant impact on their areas of responsibility.

Progress rates for all pupils across the curriculum improve by July 2020, and this is evident in books across the wider curriculum.

Curriculum leaders can evaluate strengths and identify next steps.

Curriculum leaders can evaluate the impact they have had on pupil outcomes and the quality of teaching and learning.

Evaluated action plans show progress made towards targets set.

External quality assurance demonstrates that middle leaders have an impact on their areas of responsibility.

Objective 3:

To develop the wider curriculum so that it is broad and knowledge-rich

“Our inclusive, stimulating curriculum, underpinned by our Christian ethos and values, nurtures an intrinsic love of learning.”

“We aim to provide opportunities for children, both within the classroom and beyond, which will enable them to respond to the Big Questions that life often poses.”

Impact: What will success look like?

All stakeholders  are able to articulate our curriculum vision and intent, and learning is therefore purposeful and in line with this vision

Children make good progress across the curriculum, and outcomes in books demonstrate that progress is at least in line with core subjects

Monitoring and evaluation shows that teachers have high expectations of pupil work across the curriculum

Pupil voice shows that children are engaged in the curriculum and excited about their learning

Medium term planning facilitates a balance of knowledge, skill and depth of understanding

Objective 4:

To improve staff well-being

“Our school values and deeply Christian ethos encourages pupils to understand the need to show compassion for others, through kindness and understanding”

Impact: What will success look like?

Staff feel appreciated and supported

Staff feel they have the tools they need to succeed

Staff feel that their workload is manageable

Staff feel that communication between leaders and staff is effective

Staff feel that they have opportunities to share ideas and concerns 

Objective 5:

To improve governance

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future”

Impact: What will success look like?

Governors have a good understanding of the school’s strengths and areas for development

Governors hold school leaders to account

Governor attendance is high

Governors have strong relationships with school leaders and staff

The School Improvement Plan is successful and milestones are met due to the effectiveness of the governing body

Objective 6:

To improve the attainment of lower and middle attaining pupils in Reading

“With the strength God has given them, and a solid foundation of knowledge and skill, the children of St Matthew’s will take life’s difficulties in their stride, showing resilience, confidence and a strong sense of self.”

Impact: What will success look like?

Lower and middle attaining children across the school make accelerated progress in Reading

Challenging attainment targets for each year group in Reading are met or exceeded

Lower and middle attaining children’s Reading books demonstrate good progress and progression of skill in reading

Outcomes in Reading in Reception, Year 2 and Year 6, as well as the Phonics screening check, improve from the previous year and exceed the National Average

READ lessons seen show evidence of good progress for lower and middle attainers

Pupil voice shows that lower and middle attainers speak positively about reading

Reading attainment targets for the end of each Key Stage are met or exceeded (see targets on attached page below)

Objective 7:

To improve progress across the wider curriculum

“Our aim is to develop the whole child, giving them the knowledge and skills to be successful in whatever path they choose to follow.”

Impact: What will success look like?

Children make good progress across the curriculum, and outcomes in books demonstrate that progress is at least in line with core subjects

Monitoring and evaluation shows that teachers have high expectations of pupil work across the curriculum

Pupil voice shows that children are engaged in the curriculum and excited about their learning

There is sufficient evidence of pupils’ learning across the curriculum, and the evidence seen demonstrates that children have opportunities to deepen their understanding

Evaluation of pupil work throughout the school is demonstrative of progression of knowledge and skill through the curriculum

Objective 8:

To improve outcomes for disadvantaged children in Writing

“In today’s fast-moving world, filled with obstacles and challenges, we aspire to give children a voice.”

Impact: What will success look like?

Disadvantaged children across the school make accelerated progress in Writing

Challenging attainment targets for each year group in Writing are met or exceeded

Disadvantaged children’s Writing books demonstrate good progress and progression of skill in Writing

Disadvantaged children’s books from across the curriculum, including homework books, show evidence of high quality writing

Outcomes in Writing in Reception, Year 2 and Year 6 improve from the previous year and exceed the National Average

Writing lessons seen show evidence of good progress for disadvantaged children

Writing attainment targets for the end of each Key Stage are met or exceeded (see targets on attached page below)

Objective 9:

To improve outcomes in Phonics

“In today’s fast-moving world, filled with obstacles and challenges, we aspire to give children a voice.”

Impact: What will success look like?

Pupil outcomes in the Phonics screening check improve from the previous year and meet or exceed the National Average

Read, Write Inc assessments demonstrate that children make at least good progress

Phonics lessons seen demonstrate that children are making at least good progress

Objective 10:

To  develop the use of support staff to ensure that SEND children make accelerated progress

“With the strength God has given them, and a solid foundation of knowledge and skill, the children of St Matthew’s will take life’s difficulties in their stride, showing resilience, confidence and a strong sense of self. “

Impact: What will success look like?

SEND children make accelerated progress across the curriculum

Pupil voice demonstrates that SEND children are positive about their learning

In lessons seen, the use of the support staff is identified as a strength

Objective 11:

To embed a robust behaviour policy that supports children who have social and emotional barriers to learning

“Through building positive relationships with others, including a lifelong relationship with the Church, the children of St Matthew’s will develop empathy.”

Impact: What will success look like?

Fewer level 3, 4 and 5 behaviour incidents are recorded

Staff are confident in supporting children with social and emotional barriers to learning

Children with social and emotional barriers to learning are able to access learning and make good progress

Where children with social and emotional barriers to learning demonstrate behaviours that are not in accordance with our school rules, there are strategies in place to help these children to develop these skills

Objective 12:

To continue to develop a culture of outstanding learning behaviour in classroom environments

“They will be open minded, excited to celebrate others and to share their successes.”

Impact: What will success look like?

All stakeholders, as well as staff and children, can articulate our school vision and values

In lessons seen, a culture of outstanding learning is evident and children make accelerated progress as a result

Off task or disruptive behaviour is seen rarely

Children are independent learners and are highly engaged in their learning

Pupil voice shows that children know how to be an outstanding learner and are positive about the learning environment in their classroom 

Objective 13:

To develop the PSHCE curriculum

“At St Matthew’s Church of England Primary School, we aim to provide high quality teaching and learning along with a deeply Christian ethos that enables our children to become respectful and aspirational citizens.”

Impact: What will success look like?

Pupil work demonstrates that children make good progress in PSHCE

Pupil voice demonstrates that children are positive about their learning in PSHCE

Objective 14:

To develop the teaching of phonics

“In today’s fast-moving world, filled with obstacles and challenges, we aspire to give children a voice.”

Impact: What will success look like?

Attainment in Reading in Reception is at least in line with the National Average

Children in Early Years make good progress in Reading

Read, Write Inc assessments show that children make good progress in phonics

Objective 15:

To develop the teaching of Reading

“Our aim is to develop the whole child, giving them the knowledge and skills to be successful in whatever path they choose to follow.”

Impact: What will success look like?

Attainment in Reading in Reception is at least in line with the National Average

Children in Early Years make good progress in Reading

Objective 16:

To improve behaviour for learning

“With the strength God has given them, and a solid foundation of knowledge and skill, the children of St Matthew’s will take life’s difficulties in their stride, showing resilience, confidence and a strong sense of self. “

Impact: What will success look like?

Behaviour for learning will be identified as a strength in lessons seen

The Early Years environment will be engaging, exciting and support children in their independent learning

Objective 17:

To develop Christian distinctiveness

“The children of St Matthew’s will be empowered to be in control of their own future, supported by guidance from God.”

“Worship is the beating heart of the school and educates children on teachings from the Bible, providing opportunities to bring children closer to God and enabling them to understand the relevance of faith to their everyday lives.”

Impact: What will success look like?

All stakeholders, as well as staff and children, are able to articulate the school vision and values

The school vision is evident in children’s behaviour around the school, as well as through pupil, staff and parent voice

The school will be graded as Excellent in the 2020 SIAMS inspection

Collective worship is graded as ‘Excellent’ by SIAMS

All stakeholders are positive in their views of collective worship, and any areas for development are quickly acted upon