The Baird Primary Academy

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school The principal leads the school with total commitment. She and other leaders have ensured that the school has improved rapidly since the last inspection.

Most pupils are now making good or better progress. Some pupils are making accelerated progress to catch up, because the quality of teaching and learning is good. Relationships between pupils and staff are strong.

Pastoral care is a particular strength and the well-being of pupils is given the highest priority by all staff. Pupils are proud of their school. The school's physical environment and the range of resources available to pupils and staff have improved noticeably since the last in...spection.

The curriculum meets the needs of pupils well. Leaders have maintained breadth in the curriculum, despite pressures to improve outcomes in mathematics and English. Safeguarding is effective.

Systems to protect pupils from harm are well developed. Staff are proactive when they have concerns about the welfare of pupils. Most pupils behave well.

Pupils disapprove of disruptions to their learning. Incidents of poor behaviour have reduced dramatically over time. Although still below national averages, rates of attendance are improving rapidly, including for pupils from vulnerable groups.

Those in positions of governance know the school well. They have a clear understanding of the school's strengths and areas to develop. Most parents are positive about the school and how leaders are improving it.

Children get off to a good start in the early years because the quality of provision is good. Pupils do not make as much progress in mathematics as they do in reading and writing. Provision for pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds is improving.

However, leaders know that these pupils need to make more rapid progress to catch up with other pupils. The proportion of pupils achieving a greater depth of learning is low compared to the national average for primary schools.

Information about this school

This is a larger-than-average-sized primary school.

The school is a sponsored academy and is part of the University of Brighton Academies Trust. The school has a local board which has delegated responsibilities from the trust for some aspects of governance. At the time of the last full inspection, the school was led by an executive principal, who had responsibility for two of the trust's schools.

Recent changes in the school's leadership structure mean that the school is now led by the principal, supported by two assistant principals. The proportion of pupils who attract pupil premium funding is well above the national average. The proportion of pupils with SEND is above the national average.