Leighswood School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school The executive headteacher and head of school have a clear vision for the school. They are ambitious and have created a culture of high expectations. Leaders and governors know the school well and have an accurate picture of the school's strengths and areas for development.

They have taken decisive actions to improve the quality of teaching and learning. The Cadmus Federation of schools has provided the school with good support. It has supported improvements in teaching and learning that have resulted in improved outcomes for pupils.

The teaching of English and mathematics has improved because of stronger leadership of these subjects. Lead...ers have introduced new schemes of work, which are supporting higher expectations and stronger progress. However, most-able pupils are not consistently challenged enough to work with greater resilience and independence.

Early years provision is a strength of the school. Teaching and learning are skilfully adapted to meet the needs of the children. The outdoor environment is of a very high quality.

The curriculum is well planned, with a focus on vocabulary development. Leaders have plans to widen the curriculum using the high-quality outdoor environment. Middle leaders value the recent opportunities to develop their skills in order to monitor, review and evaluate pupils' knowledge and understanding.

Recent outcomes in writing at the end of key stage 2 are very strong. Pupils in other year groups have fewer opportunities for pupils to write at length. Behaviour in lessons and around the school is good.

Pupils are polite, well mannered and friendly. Some parents and carers and pupils raised concerns about behaviour outside lessons. Leaders have taken actions to improve previous poor behaviour and are implementing an effective behaviour management policy.

The standard of presentation of pupils' work is inconsistent, and where it is weaker, pupils' progress is less strong.

Information about this school

Leighswood Primary is larger than the average-sized primary school. Since the previous inspection in February 2017, there have been some significant changes in leadership, staffing and governance.

The executive headteacher and head of school were appointed in September 2018 and the school joined the Cadmus Federation of schools in February 2019. The school has provision for two-year-old children. Children attend Nursey class part time, either in the mornings or afternoons.

There are three Reception classes, which children attend full time. The school provides before- and after-school provision, which is run by school staff. The proportion of disadvantaged pupils in the school is in line with the national average.

The great majority of pupils attending the school are of White British heritage. The proportion of pupils who speak English as an additional language is low. The school does not use any alternative provision.