High Crags Primary Leadership Academy

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school The acting principal is very effective.

She leads the school with clear moral purpose. She has high expectations of herself, staff and pupils. Outcomes are improving rapidly.

Leaders provide many opportunities for staff to improve their skills through focused training. The Star Academies trust is a source of effective support for this work. Leaders check the quality of teaching carefully.

Most teaching is effective. Pupils enjoy learning in interesting and attractive classrooms where skilled staff care for and challenge them well. Disadvantaged pupils and those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) receive eff...ective additional support.

They achieve well from their different starting points. The school's curriculum is broad and balanced. It is supported by a wide range of extra-curricular activities that further develop pupils' knowledge and understanding of the world we share.

There is still some variability in the quality of teaching. Where staff expectations in the school are not consistently high, teaching is less effective. This is slowing some pupils' progress.

Overall pupils' absence is close to the national average. However, persistent absence, although improving rapidly, is still high. Early years provision is outstanding.

Children do very well. This is because it is very well led, and staff have high expectations. Links with parents are strong and continuing to improve.

Pupils know how to keep themselves safe. They learn how to manage potential risks to their well-being and safety. Safeguarding is effective.

Staff receive appropriate, up-to-date training that ensures they have the skills to keep pupils safe. Reading is a strength of the school. Phonics is well taught.

Pupils enjoy reading and books. Governors, supported by the trust, challenge leaders effectively. They know the strengths and what needs to be done to improve the school further.

The school's work to develop pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural awareness is strong. Staff provide pupils with many opportunities to explore and develop their skills as leaders. Pupils are generally well behaved.

They are thoughtful. Relationships among pupils and between adults and pupils are respectful. Most parents and carers who made their views known speak very positively about the school and are pleased with what it provides.

Some parents, however, would welcome more contact with the school.

Information about this school

High Crags Primary is part of the Star Academies trust. It joined the trust in April 2016.

It has its own local governing body. The acting principal has been in post since January 2019. It is larger than the averaged-sized primary school.

The proportion of disadvantaged pupils is well above the average Most pupils are White British. Most pupils speak English as their first language. The proportion of pupils with SEND is average.

The school runs a unit called the DSP (Designated Specialist Provision) which provides up to six pupils from the local authority with special educational needs in speech and language. There are currently five pupils on roll. The school offers a breakfast club.

The school also offers a range of clubs and activities after school. The school has a nursery provision that offers both morning and afternoon sessions. It also has provision for two-year-olds.