Abbey Lane Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school. Children in Reception class are given a good start to their education and make good progress.

Good progress continues year-on-year throughout the school. Standards at the end of Year 2 and Year 6 in reading, writing and mathematics are consistently above national averages. Pupils' behaviour in lessons and around the school is good.

Their positive attitudes make a good contribution to the school's friendly atmosphere and good achievement. Pupils say that they feel safe in school, and that they are well cared for. The quality of teaching and learning is good and there is some outstanding teaching.

Teachers and teaching assistants ...work well together. Teachers have good knowledge of all subjects across the curriculum. Lessons are filled with activity and pupils enjoy them.

The headteacher's management of teaching and learning is excellent. She is very ably supported by senior leaders and governors. The checking of teaching is robust and weaknesses are dealt with promptly.

Consequently, pupils' progress and the standards they reach are good. The governing body provides vigorous support and challenge for the school in equal measure. It is not yet an outstanding school because : Not enough teaching is outstanding.

There is some scope for teachers in Key Stage 1 to challenge the most able pupils further in writing. Teachers' marking does not always help pupils to improve their work. Teachers are too accepting of work that is poorly presented and handwriting that is not of good enough quality.

School leaders do not work as well as they could with parents. Some parents feel that they are not listened to.

Information about this school

This is a larger-than-average primary school, in which the very large majority of pupils are White British.

The proportion of pupils supported by the pupil premium funding is well below average. The pupil premium is additional funding for pupils known to be eligible for free school meals, children from service families and those who are looked after by the local authority. The proportion of pupils supported by school action is well below average.

An average proportion of pupils are supported by school action plus or with a statement of special educational needs. The school meets the government's current floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress in English and mathematics at the end of Year 6. The school provides support for improvement in other schools within the local authority.