Northway Infant School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Main findings '

Brilliant', 'fantastic', 'warm' and 'friendly' are how several parents and carers describe this outstanding school. One commented that their child's progress 'has exceeded our expectations', reflecting the views of many.

Outstanding teaching and an exceptionally well-organised curriculum enable boys and girls of all ability groups and backgrounds to make exceptionally rapid progress in their learning. They reach above average levels of attainment and their achievements are outstanding. Excellent care and safeguarding arrangements contribute to pupils' exceptional sense of security and well-being.

They make impressive strides in social confidence and responsibility, and their behaviour in les...sons and around school is impeccable. The school's outstanding capacity for further improvement is indicated through its extensive development from good to outstanding in most areas of its work over the two and a half years since the previous inspection. Provision for children in the Reception classes has improved well because their interests are given greater consideration than previously, and they have more opportunities to work in the outdoor areas.

That said, the resources available to them when they are working independently are not always sufficiently stimulating to accelerate their learning, and there is not always an adult available to support learning at activities of their choice. All staff share high aspirations with senior leaders, both for pupils' achievement and for continued school development. Since the previous inspection, the school has developed far more rigorous assessment procedures so staff are tracking the progress of each pupil, in all subjects, more closely and sharing 'next steps' with pupils far more routinely.

As a consequence, pupils are remarkably well informed about their achievements and what they are aiming for. This empowers these young pupils and is a key factor in their enjoyment and achievement. The information generated by this assessment process is also used to analyse any patterns of relative weakness in pupils' learning and the curriculum is rapidly adjusted to address any such issues.

For example, while focusing on improving pupils' writing, staff recognised that the greatest area of need was in sentence construction. They immediately planned more opportunities for pupils to develop their ideas on paper. The impact of this is apparent in work this term when boys and girls in Year 2 exceeded expectations for their age by writing text to persuade their reader to take a donkey ride.

The effectiveness of the governing body has improved from good to outstanding since the previous inspection because it has made a significant leap forward in its influence on the direction of the school. In spite of several changes in its membership, it has become more robust in monitoring and evaluating the work of the school. One result of this is that safeguarding procedures are now outstanding.

This is a highly cohesive school where members of the governing body have close links with pupils and actively seek their views. Pupils, staff and the governing body are justifiably proud of their school and their achievements.

Information about the school

Most pupils are from White British backgrounds.

Although the proportion of pupils from other minority ethnic groups has increased recently, few pupils from these groups are learning English as an additional language. The percentage of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals has increased recently and is now just above the national average. The proportion of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities is much lower than is typical nationally.

There is community pre-school provision for children aged two to four on the school site, but it did not form part of this inspection. It is managed by a local charity of which the headteacher is a trustee. Similarly, there is a local authority children's centre on the school site which did not form part of this inspection.

The headteacher is a member of its partnership board. Since the previous inspection, there has been a 50% turnover in teaching staff and there have been significant changes in the membership of the governing body, including three different Chairs of the Governing Body. The school gained Healthy School Plus status in 2009, reflecting its work to promote healthy lifestyles in the school and community.

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