Emley First School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is an outstanding school.

Pupils make rapid progress through the school and learn exceptionally well. As a result, their attainment by the time they leave school at the end of Year 5 is above that expected in English and mathematics. This represents outstanding achievement from their starting points which are generally below those expected for their age.

Pupils develop and apply a wide range of skills to great effect. They are exceptionally well prepared for their next stage of education. Much of the teaching is outstanding and it is never less than consistently good.

Teachers are very aware of pupils' capabilities and of their prior learning and... understanding. They plan very effectively to build upon these. Staff show a great deal of respect and courtesy for pupils and others.

Pupils behave extremely well, both in and around school. They are very polite, well mannered and very respectful of others. Pupils show a great deal of enjoyment in coming to school and this is reflected in their above-average attendance.

Pupils say they feel very safe in school and on educational visits because staff take very good care of them. They have an excellent understanding of how to keep themselves and others safe. The curriculum provides memorable experiences and rich opportunities for high quality learning.

It promotes pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development in an outstanding way. The headteacher is an exceptional leader who leads by example and has high expectations of staff and pupils. Leaders and the governing body have worked extremely well together to develop further the quality of teaching and to maintain high levels of achievement since the previous inspection.

There are excellent procedures for checking how well the school is doing. These enable leaders and governors to have a thorough understanding of the school's strengths and of areas that require development. They know that their next steps are to broaden the very effective marking seen in English and mathematics to other curriculum subjects.

Actions taken to bring about improvement are assessed regularly and very carefully to see if they are proving successful. The governing body is very supportive and highly ambitious for the school. It is extremely influential in helping it to move forward.

The ability of leaders to carry on making improvements is excellent.

Information about this school

Emley is smaller than the average-sized primary school. Pupils move on to their next school at the end of Year 5.

There is a below-average proportion of pupils known to be eligible for the pupil premium. (The pupil premium is additional funding for those pupils who are known to be eligible for free school meals, children from service families and those children that are looked after.) The proportion of pupils supported through school action is broadly average.

The proportion of pupils supported at school action plus or with a statement of special educational needs is below average. Most pupils are of White British heritage. The school has gained a number of national awards, including Artsmark Gold, and holds Healthy School status.

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