This is a larger-than-average-sized primary school. As a school with a distinctive Christian ethos, the school was last subject to an inspection under section 48 of The Education Act 2005 in January 2018. The school converted to academy status in March 2015 and is governed by a single academy trust, Esher Church School Academy Trust. The previous school, Esher Church of England Aided Primary School, was last inspected in December 2007, when the overall effectiveness was judged to be outstanding overall. Most pupils are from White British backgrounds. There are small numbers of pupils from other ethnic backgrounds. The proportion of pupils with SEND is low. The proportion of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals is also low. Inspection report: Esher Church School, 8–9 January 2019 Page 8 of 10 Information about this inspection This was the first full inspection of the school since it converted to academy status. The school was selected for inspection under section 8(2) of the Education Act 2005. The inspection was subsequently deemed to be a section 5 inspection under the same Act by Her Majesty’s Inspector and a full section 5 inspection was then carried out. Classrooms were visited on both days of the inspection. During classroom visits, inspectors observed teaching and learning, assessed the quality of pupils’ work, and talked to them about the progress that they were making. Some classroom visits were accompanied by the headteacher or deputy headteacher. As well as looking at pupils’ work in classrooms, a separate sampling of pupils’ work in mathematics and English was held together with the English and mathematics subject leads. Pupils’ behaviour was observed in classrooms and as they moved around the school. This included at the start of the school day and at break and lunchtime. Inspectors attended an assembly and heard pupils read. Meetings were held with senior and middle leaders; the business manager; the chair of the governing body, accompanied by two other governors; and a group of pupils. Inspectors talked to parents in the playground at the start of day one of the inspection. Inspectors also reviewed the school’s own parent survey. Three free-text messages were also received by the lead inspector after the inspection. A wide range of policies and records were scrutinised, including those regarding the safety of pupils. The school’s self-evaluation, improvement planning and information about pupils’ outcomes were considered. Minutes of governing body meetings and notes of visits from the local authority were also taken into account. Inspection team Clive Close, lead inspector Her Majesty’s Inspector Peter Dunmall Ofsted Inspector Sue Cox Ofsted Inspector Inspection report: Esher Church School, 8–9 January 2019 Page 9 of 10 Any complaints about the inspection or the report should be made following the procedures set out in the guidance ‘Raising concerns and making a complaint about Ofsted’, which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.gov.uk/government/publications/complaints-about-ofsted. If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email [email protected].