Alverton Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school Leaders have refined their plans and actions for school improvement since the last inspection.

As a result, outcomes for pupils have continued to improve. Pupils make good progress over their time in school from their lower-than-typical starting points. Provisional 2018 key stage 2 test results show that the proportion of pupils reaching the expected standard in reading, writing and mathematics exceeds the national average.

The proportion of pupils reaching higher standards in reading, writing and mathematics fluctuates. Current pupils' work and learning demonstrate teachers' greater attention to ensuring that the most able pupils make st...rong progress. Work to improve pupils' progress in curriculum subjects other than English and mathematics has got off to a good start.

Middle leaders are positive about the support that they are receiving to direct this improvement successfully. Leaders rightly identify that this work needs further development. The early years team make sure that children get off to a great start in Nursery and Reception.

Children rise to the high expectations set by adults and enjoy their learning. Good foundations are laid in all areas of the curriculum. Leaders' determined actions to instil the importance of good attendance in pupils and families is paying off.

Attendance and punctuality have improved. Pupils' attendance is now similar to the national average. Pupils' accuracy in spelling, grammar and punctuation shows improvement since the last inspection.

Teachers give pupils clear direction in developing these skills in all subjects. Pupils' well-being is given high priority. Adults make sure that pupils are safe, included and well supported.

As a result, pupils say that they trust the adults in school. They are developing skills in how to be good citizens. Effective phonics teaching has resulted in improved pupils' outcomes in the Year 1 phonics standard.

However, the lower-ability pupils in early years and key stage 1 do not consistently have reading books that are well matched to their developing phonics skills. Therefore, they do not quickly learn to read with fluency and accuracy. Until very recently, teachers and teaching assistants have not consistently insisted on high standards of presentation in pupils' work.

Misconceptions in letter formation have not been addressed. This contrasts with pupils' pride in belonging to Alverton School and their good attitudes to learning in lessons.

Information about this school

The school is slightly smaller than the average-sized primary school.

The school has a specially resourced provision for pupils with speech, language and communication needs. This enhanced early years provision currently provides in-school support for 1 pupil and outreach support for 36 pupils who are aged 3 to 5. The early years consists of a Nursery and a Reception class.

The school runs a before-school club and an after-school club. The proportion of pupils known to be eligible for the additional pupil premium funding is above the national average. The proportion of pupils who have an education, health and care plan is below the national average.

The proportion of pupils who receive support for SEN and/or disabilities is above the national average. The vast majority of pupils are of White British heritage. A much lower proportion of pupils speak English as an additional language than the national average.