Ellison Boulters Church of England Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Main findings

This is an outstanding school.

It has made many improvements since its last inspection, chiefly because strong and determined leadership has driven development in a clearly focused manner. This, coupled with an enthusiastic and skilled staff team and an excellent curriculum, has ensured much success. Pupils say that they like school very much.

Parents and carers are mostly delighted with what is provided for their children. One parent expressed the views of many commenting, 'Excellent staff = Excellent learning = Excellent progress = Happy Children = Happy Parents'. Pupils make oustanding progress as they move through the school.

Boys and girls achieve equally well. In Year 6 standar...ds are high and have been significantly above national averages in all areas in recent years. This helps all pupils prepare very well for their future.

Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities do particularly well because there is an excellent programme of very well-tailored support for them. Staff have high expectations of the pupils in their learning and behaviour which the pupils are keen to live up to. Behaviour in the classroom and at play is excellent.

Pupils have a very good understanding of how to lead a healthy lifestyle and of how to keep themselves and others safe. There is a wide range of opportunities for pupils to contribute to the school and wider community. This has a very positive impact on their social and moral development and helps them become confident and responsible young citizens.

The quality of teaching and learning is excellent. Staff plan carefully to take account of mixed-age and ability classes, and when pupils are grouped by ability. Teachers use interactive whiteboards and resources well to provide interesting and practical activities.

Staff explain things well. Occasionally, however, pupils are unsure whether they have individual targets and exactly what they need to do to improve further. A considerable strength and key reason for much of the recent success is the development of a stimulating curriculum that has a global emphasis.

This provides memorable experiences and ensures strong cross-curricular links coupled with a focus on key skills. The care, guidance and support of pupils are excellent and pupils are looked after very well. Several parents and carers commented how happy their children are including one noting 'my child prayed 'Thank you God for my lovely teacher who helps me every day'.

How priceless to a parent!.' The headteacher and deputy provide outstanding leadership. They have embedded ambition in the whole school community.

Everyone works very successfully together to identify what further improvements can be made. The governing body provides excellent and challenging support and take their role as 'a critical friend' seriously. The monitoring and evaluation of the work of the school is rigorous and information, including assessment data, is used very effectively to inform school development planning.

Because of excellent provision in all areas, and the school's extremely good track record based on a corporate determination that it will keep moving forward, there is outstanding capacity to improve further.

Information about the school

This is a slightly larger than average-sized primary school near Lincoln. The proportion of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals is low.

The percentage with special educational needs and/or disabilities is slightly below that seen in most schools. These pupils who have a range of additional needs are not evenly spread across the school and are mainly within a small number of year groups. A few families have connections with local air-bases.

A small number speaks English as an additional language. The school holds many awards including Artsmark Gold and Sing Up Gold and the Primary Science Quality Mark. The school runs a breakfast club.