Portway Infant School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school.

• Pupils reach standards which are well above average by the time they reach the end of Year 2. They are well prepared for the next stage of their education. • All pupils make good progress.

Disabled pupils and those who have special educational needs make good progress because of effective teaching and the special arrangements the school makes for them. Progress seen in pupils' books was particularly good in English. • The large majority of teaching seen during the inspection was good.

A small proportion was outstanding, especially in Reception. • Pupils' behaviour is good. Pupils are unfailingly polite and friendly.

T...hey say they feel safe in school, that there is no bullying, and that adults can always be relied upon to give support when needed. • The headteacher is passionate about ensuring that pupils make as much progress personally and academically as they can. She has managed recent upheavals within the leadership team and, as a result, the school continues to do well.

• Governors provide effective support and challenge to the school to improve further. Recent changes have been managed well. It is not yet an outstanding school because : • Progress in mathematics across the whole school, while good, is not as strong as that found in reading and writing.

• Teachers sometimes set work for pupils that is too hard or too easy. They do not ensure that pupils are able to work on their own or find things out for themselves. • Leaders do not observe learning in lessons enough.

They focus too much on what teachers are doing rather than on how well pupils are learning. • Pupils supported by extra funding do not reach standards as high as their classmates. This is particularly true in mathematics.

Information about this school

• This infant school is a little smaller than the average-sized primary school. • Most pupils are White British. • Each year group comprises three classes.

The school is oversubscribed and expanding. • The proportion of pupils known to be eligible for the pupil premium is low. The pupil premium is additional funding for those pupils who are known to be eligible for free school meals, those children looked after by the local authority and children from service families.

• The proportion of pupils supported through school action is well below average. • The proportion of pupils supported at school action plus or with a statement of special educational needs is broadly average. • There have been recent changes to the senior leadership of the school.

Also at this postcode