Great Bowden Academy, A Church of England Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is an outstanding school.

Pupils make outstanding progress and reach very high standards in reading, writing and mathematics. Outstanding teaching means that pupils make extremely rapid progress from Years 1 to 6. Teachers use their excellent knowledge of what pupils can already do to plan work which is very well matched to pupils' different abilities.

Teaching in the Early Years Foundation Stage is good and leads to good achievement. Teachers use their exceptional questioning skills extremely well to check on pupils' learning and to make sure that pupils are stretched. They then adapt the level of work to accelerate progress further.

Teachers' f...eedback to pupils gives them an excellent understanding of how to improve their work. Outstanding literacy and mathematical skills are developed throughout the school day and through a wide and exciting range of subjects. Pupils enjoy celebrating the success of others, and appreciate the rewards offered when they do well.

They are very proud of their academy and their achievements. Pupils are highly motivated and concentrate well through a wide range opportunities to work on their own, with a partner and in teams. Pupils' behaviour and attitudes make an outstanding contribution to their learning.

They talk with great enthusiasm about their work. Pupils say that they feel safe and enjoy a high level of care and support. Parents express a very high level of satisfaction and confidence in the work of the school.

The inspiration and drive of the headteacher and governors have ensured that leaders at all levels are focused on continuously raising standards. Staff are highly committed to the aims of the academy. Governors have an exceptional understanding of the strengths and areas to develop within the academy.

They are extremely skilled in checking its work and holding staff to account.

Information about this school

The school is much smaller than the average-sized primary school. Almost all pupils are of White British backgrounds.

Great Bowden Academy converted to become an academy in December 2012 and is managed by its governing body. When its predecessor school, Great Bowden Primary School, was last inspected by Ofsted in March 2010, it was judged to be good. The proportion of pupils supported at school action is average, and this is also the case for the proportion of pupils supported at school action plus and those with a statement of special educational needs.

The proportion of pupils eligible for support from the pupil premium funding (those known to be eligible for free school meals or looked after by the local authority) is below average. The headteacher is a Local Leader of Education and is supporting other schools locally. The school meets the government's current floor standards which set the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress.