Parks Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is an outstanding school. The school's improvement is due to outstanding leadership and teaching that enable pupils to achieve exceptionally well, whatever their background or ability.

Leaders at all levels, staff and governors have created a school where pupils are keen to succeed; pupils thrive, enjoy school very much, and their attendance levels are above average. Children, including those at an early stage of speaking English, get off to a great start in the Nursery and Reception. By the time pupils leave the school, standards are well above average in reading and broadly average in writing and mathematics.

Teachers have high expectations of pupils, k...eep a very close check on their learning and provide work at the right level of difficulty. Lessons are highly productive because staff are well organised and pupils are invariably ready and eager to learn. Disabled pupils and those who have special educational needs make rapid progress because : they receive high-quality support.

The school makes excellent use of the pupil premium; any gaps in the attainment of eligible pupils and others are small and closing. Teachers mark pupils' work very effectively, so that pupils know exactly what to do to improve. Pupils usually behave impeccably, whether in lessons or when playing outside.

They feel safe and are very supportive of each other. Staff promote pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural awareness extremely well. As a result, pupils are very well prepared for life in modern Britain.

Governors are knowledgeable about the school's performance and highly committed to enabling staff to provide the best for pupils.

Information about this school

This larger than average primary school is much bigger than it was when it was last inspected, with over 120 more pupils on roll. Children who join the Nursery (F1) attend part time.

They move to full time when they join Reception (F2). The large majority of pupils are from White British backgrounds. Among other pupils, the largest groups are those of Black African, other Black heritage and other White backgrounds.

An above-average proportion speaks English as an additional language. The proportion of disabled pupils and those who have special educational needs, at over a quarter, are well above the national average. Almost two-thirds of the pupils are eligible for the additional funding for disadvantaged pupils, known as the pupil premium.

This is well above average. The headteacher is a Local Leader of Education (LLE) and provides formal support for another school in the local authority. The inclusion manager (special educational needs coordinator) is seconded for one day each week to support other local schools.

The school meets the government's current floor standards. These are the minimum standards expected at the end of Year 6 in English and mathematics. The school hosts a breakfast club, which is managed by the governing body.