Ofsted has praised Stoke Fleming Community Primary School, with inspectors highlighting pupils’ academic achievement, behaviour, inclusion, and personal development.

The school was graded ‘strong standard’ in early years, inclusion, personal development and wellbeing, achievement, attendance and behaviour, and leadership and governance.

Curriculum and teaching were graded at the newly introduced ‘expected standard’, meaning the school meets the standard expected by Ofsted.

Inspectors said pupils “achieve consistently well” in national tests in reading, writing and mathematics, with attainment and progress over time above national averages.

The teaching of reading, including phonics, was highlighted as a particular strength.

Pupils’ behaviour and manners were also praised, with inspectors describing their manners as “excellent” and pupils as sociable, confident and independent.

The report said these qualities helped pupils make the most of the school’s spacious outdoor environment, while outdoor play gave children of different ages opportunities to develop their imagination and independence.

Inspectors said the school had a culture where “friendship and kindness flourish”.

Early years provision was also singled out, with inspectors praising opportunities for learning through play alongside expert teaching. They said children secured their early learning rapidly, while teaching of early reading and writing was described as highly effective.

The report highlighted the support provided to pupils with special educational needs and disabilities, saying adaptations to the school environment, curriculum and teaching enabled them to make rapid progress.

Disadvantaged pupils were also found to do particularly well, often achieving more than their non-disadvantaged peers nationally from the early years onwards.

Inspectors praised the school’s enrichment programme, saying its inclusive approach ensured no pupil missed out on educational trips, adventurous activities and charitable work.

Pupils also have opportunities to develop leadership skills through roles including house captains, eco-council members, parliamentarians, librarians and anti-bullying ambassadors.

The report said these opportunities, alongside performances and debates, helped pupils develop resilience and communication skills.

Christopher Harrison, headteacher at Stoke Fleming Community Primary School, said: “We are incredibly proud of our pupils and delighted that the Ofsted report recognises not only their strong academic achievement, but also the confidence and kindness they develop during their time at Stoke Fleming.

“We are particularly pleased that the inspectors recognised our strong approach to inclusion, early years, personal development and wellbeing, alongside the consistently strong outcomes our pupils achieve. This is a testament to the hard work of our pupils, staff and families, and we are very proud of the community we have created together.”

Matthew Shanks, chief executive of Education South West, said the report reflected the dedication of pupils and staff.

"The inspectors’ comments paint a picture of a school where children are achieving strongly while also developing the skills they need to flourish," he said. “The description of a community where ‘friendship and kindness flourish’ captures something that is at the heart of Stoke Fleming: a school where children are encouraged to look after one another, take on responsibility and make the most of every opportunity," he added.