Pilgrims' Cross CofE Aided Primary School

Store Street Manchester M1 2WD T 0300 123 1231 www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.1

Jim Cascarini Headteacher Pilgrims’ Cross CofE Aided Primary School Picket Twenty Way Andover Hampshire SP11 6TY

p.1

Cross CofE Aided Primary School

This letter sets out the findings from the monitoring inspection that took place on 28 November 2024, on behalf of His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education, Children’s Services and Skills. The monitoring inspection was carried out under section 8(2) of the Education Act 2005 and took place because the school meets the monitoring threshold as set out in the Monitoring Inspection Handbook .

p.1

Cross CofE Aided Primary School

The purpose of a monitoring inspection is not to grade the school’s key and (where applicable) provision judgements, but to identify and report on the school’s progress. It is to highlight to the school and parents any improvements that school leaders have made since the school’s previous graded inspection.

p.1

Cross CofE Aided Primary School

During the inspection, I discussed with you and other senior leaders, governors and the local authority the actions that have been taken to improve the school since the most recent graded inspection. We discussed the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. I also visited lessons, met with other staff and spoke to other school leaders. I have considered all this in coming to my judgement.

p.1

Leaders have made progress to improve the school, but some aspects of the

The school should take further action to:

p.1

Leaders have made progress to improve the school, but some aspects of the

 Governors do not have a secure oversight of the quality of education. This means they do not have sufficient understanding of how well pupils are progressing through the curriculum. Governors should develop their expertise so they can challenge the school to further strengthen pupils’ learning.

p.1

Main findings

Since the previous inspection, the school has had a notable change in leadership. The school has recently appointed a substantive headteacher and the structure and membership of the governing body has also changed.

p.2

Main findings

The school has made substantial changes to the curriculum since the previous inspection. There has been a focus on professional development so teachers follow the curriculum closely and match learning to the needs of pupils. As a result, staff have accurate subject knowledge and teaching is consistent. Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities are well supported. Pupils are remembering more of the current content and are able to apply this knowledge effectively. They are fluent and accurate readers and enjoy reading in and out of school. The school has further work to do in making sure gaps in pupils’ prior knowledge are addressed. This needs to be carefully monitored and used to inform future training and curriculum development. Consequently, pupils are not achieving as well as they could.

p.2

Main findings

The school’s new leaders have made a significant positive difference to the school. They have established rigorous structures for school improvement that are showing dividends. Staff are positive about the changes and feel well cared for and supported. The new governors have similar plans for improvement. However, these have not yet been fully enacted. As a result, their oversight of the curriculum has not been fully effective.

p.2

Main findings

Pupils are happy and feel safe. Their conduct in lessons is positive, and there is no disruption. Pupils play together conscientiously and with care at breaktimes. Pupils have highly positive attitudes and are excited by their learning and opportunities at school.

p.2

Main findings

The school has benefited from intensive support from the local authority. It has been active in engaging with ongoing professional development opportunities. This has been effective at strengthening school improvement. The quality and consistency of the ongoing support is evident in classrooms and growing staff knowledge.

p.2

Main findings

I am copying this letter to the chair of the board of governors, the director of education for the Diocese of Winchester, the Department for Education’s regional director and the director of children’s services for Hampshire. This letter will be published on the Ofsted reports website.

p.2