Hucklow Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school. Children get off to a good start to their school life in the early years classes, especially in the Nursery class where the new accommodation, resources and learning opportunities are outstanding. Pupils who start school with little or no English learn the language quickly and make rapid progress.

Pupils make good progress in reading, writing and mathematics in all year groups. Any gaps in the attainment of different groups of pupils are closing. Pupils behave well around the school.

They feel safe and are well cared for. Pupils have positive attitudes to learning. They work hard, enjoy learning and want to do well.

Attendance i...s broadly average. A good range of clubs, special events and experiences add richness to pupils' learning. The quality of teaching is good and continues to improve.

Teachers have high expectations of what pupils can achieve. The executive headteacher and other senior leaders make regular and effective checks on the quality of teaching. They have a clear idea of the school's strengths and areas for improvement.

Leaders track the progress that pupils make, and arrange support for them when it is needed. The school works well with parents, and successfully encourages them to support their children's learning. Governors are well informed, and both support school leaders and challenge them to improve all areas of the school's performance effectively.

It is not yet an outstanding school because : Despite some excellent practice in the school, the quality of teaching is not yet consistently outstanding. Sometimes the school's most-able pupils are not given work which is difficult enough for them. Although marking is detailed and tells pupils how to improve, teachers do not always check that pupils have responded to this advice.

The early years provision, while good overall, is inconsistent in quality. In the Reception class, the indoor environment is not as attractive and well designed as the outdoor area. Sometimes teachers in Reception miss opportunities for children to learn by finding out for themselves.

Information about this school

Hucklow Primary School is much larger than the average-sized primary school. The proportion of pupils who are eligible for the pupil premium, at almost a half of all pupils, is much higher than average. The pupil premium is additional funding for those pupils who are known to be eligible for free school meals or who are looked after by the local authority.

The proportion of disabled pupils and those who have special educational needs, at around one quarter of all pupils, is higher than average. The very large majority of pupils come from minority ethnic backgrounds. Around a half of pupils are of Pakistani heritage.

A growing proportion, currently one in six of all pupils, is of Slovakian Roma heritage. Almost four out of five pupils speak English as an additional language. This is much higher than average.

The proportion of pupils who join or leave the school at times other than those normally expected is much higher than average. A breakfast club, managed by the governing body, provides childcare for pupils at the start of the school day. It was included in this inspection.

The school provides full-time early years provision for Reception-aged children on the main school site. Part-time early years provision for Nursery-aged children and for two-year-olds is located on a separate site around a quarter of a mile from the main school. The provision for two-year-olds was not included in this inspection.

There have been a number of staff and leadership changes since the last inspection. The school has been led by the executive headteacher since September 2014. The school meets the government's current floor standards, which are the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress by the end of Year 6.