Eldon Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is an outstanding school The headteacher, senior leaders and governors lead and manage the school highly effectively. They are supported by a team of staff who lead their areas of responsibility extremely well.

The headteacher has ensured that the rapid pace of improvement noted at the time of the previous inspection has been sustained. Leaders have a clear and strong vision which enables them to provide the best possible education for all pupils, and which all members of staff fully embrace. The quality of teaching has continued to improve since the previous inspection and is now outstanding.

Recent improvements to the teaching of mathematics have been p...articularly effective. Teachers plan imaginative and creative lessons that engage pupils. However, the development of historical and geographical skills in Years 4, 5 and 6 does not match the quality seen in other subject areas.

The curriculum provides very rich opportunities for pupils' learning. Reading, writing and mathematics are incorporated seamlessly across different areas of the curriculum. However, in science at key stage 2, the quality of writing does not match the quality seen in English.

Pupils in all year groups make substantial and sustained progress. Children frequently start Nursery with skills and abilities that are often much lower than those typical for their age. They leave Year 6 with outcomes that are at least in line with the national average in reading, writing and mathematics.

The provision for pupils who have special educational needs and/or disabilities and for those who are disadvantaged is of very high quality. As a result, these pupils make consistently outstanding progress from their starting points. Pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is exceptionally strong.

Pupils develop a deep understanding of difference and diversity in modern society. Pupils' personal development is outstanding. They are safe and their behaviour is impeccable.

Exceptionally good leadership of the early years provision ensures that children have an excellent start to their education. They are fully prepared for the demands of Year 1.

Information about this school

The school meets requirements on the publication of specified information on its website.

Eldon Primary School is slightly smaller than the average-sized primary school. The proportions of pupils from minority ethnic backgrounds and of pupils who are at the early stages of learning English as an additional language are higher than average. The proportion of disadvantaged pupils supported by the pupil premium funding is higher than average.

The proportion of pupils with support for special educational needs and/or disabilities is above the national average. The proportion of pupils supported with a statement of special educational needs or an education, health and care plan is below the national average. Since the previous inspection, the school has taken on the management of the on-site Nursery and has admitted two-year-olds.

The school meets the government's floor standard, which sets the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress in English and mathematics. The school holds the Inclusion Quality Mark and centre of excellence status, the gold Behaviour Quality Mark, EYFS Step into Quality Award and the Primary Science Award. The school has also been recognised with regional awards, such as being recognised as Primary School of the Year by a regional newspaper.