Leeming RAF Community Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school Since his appointment, the headteacher has established a strong and exciting vision for the future.

He has worked tirelessly to establish rigorous systems to manage the highly mobile staff and pupils, with great effect. He is uncompromising in his pursuit of excellence. Senior and subject leaders are knowledgeable and skilled.

They have an accurate understanding of the strengths and weaknesses in their areas of responsibility. Those new to their roles are nurtured and mentored carefully. Governors are highly skilled and equally enthusiastic and ambitious for the school's future.

Strong induction procedures for new governors ensur...e that governance remains stable, despite a high turnover of membership. The safeguarding culture is well embedded. Staff are clear about the important role they play in keeping pupils safe.

They are vigilant in reporting concerns. Referrals to other agencies are timely. Leaders have worked with stakeholders to create a dynamic curriculum intent, which is highly reflective of the school's unique contextual circumstances.

However, it is in the earliest stages of implementation. In 2016, pupils' outcomes were not good enough. Since then, they have improved year on year to be above the national average in 2018.

Improvement in pupils' progress in writing, particularly for boys, is notable. However, pupils' use of standard English across other subjects is not of a similarly high standard. Pupils acquire early phonics skills effectively.

However, resources are not used consistently. They do not always build pupils' knowledge sequentially to enable them to make speedy progress. Children in the early years make good progress.

They settle quickly into their new surroundings because of the strong bonds that are formed by accomplished staff. Pupils behave well and are respectful of others. Pupils' movement around the school is orderly and their attitudes to learning are positive.

The quality of teaching overall is good. Staff are reflective and keen to share good practice. Occasionally, activities in subjects such as history and geography are not sufficiently demanding.

This means that very few pupils are working at a greater depth in subjects other than English and mathematics.

Information about this school

The school is smaller than the average-sized primary school. Most pupils are of White British heritage.

As the overwhelming majority of children are from services personnel families, almost all pupils are in receipt of service pupil premium funding, which is a much higher proportion than the national average. The proportion of pupils in receipt of pupil premium funding is lower than the national average. Many more pupils than is the case nationally arrive at or leave the school at times other than those expected.

In the last school year, this accounted for 75% of the school population. Only a very small minority of pupils attend the school for a whole key stage. The average length of stay for pupils is between 18 and 24 months.

The proportion of pupils with SEND is above the national average, as is the proportion of pupils with an education, health and care plan. The school offers a wide range of before- and after-school clubs. The headteacher joined the school in April 2016.