Allithwaite CofE Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school.

During the inspection, pupils' behaviour in and around the school was exemplary and school records show that this is typical. Pupils have an extremely positive attitude toward learning because they very much value their school community, the staff and each other. There is an outstanding programme for promoting pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development.

As a result, pupils are highly considerate and respectful towards adults and each other. The curriculum meets the needs of pupils very well. The opportunities to learn outdoors, play musical instruments and be involved in sport enhance pupils' learning experience.

...The headteacher is very successfully driving forward school improvement. He is extremely well supported by his staff team who have embraced many changes. The highly committed governing body provides an excellent balance of support and challenge.

Together with senior leaders they are prioritising improvements to the quality of teaching and working hard to drive whole-school improvements. Children get off to a good start with their learning in the Early Years Foundation Stage and continue to make good progress during their time in the school. Pupils achieve well and the proportion of pupils making the expected rate of progress is higher than that found nationally.

Teaching is good overall and some is outstanding. Pupils say their lessons are fun. Teachers provide good guidance and advice to help pupils with ways to improve their learning.

Parents highly value the opportunities that staff provide to encourage family learning. It is not yet an outstanding school because : There is not yet enough teaching that is outstanding. Occasionally, activities in lessons do not provide the appropriate level of challenge for pupils of different abilities.

Teachers do not always adapt their lessons quickly enough to meet pupils' needs. The skills in mental mathematics of a minority of pupils are insecure.

Information about this school

This is a smaller than average sized primary school.

The proportion of pupils known to be eligible for the pupil premium is well below average. The pupil premium is additional funding provided for those pupils who are known to be eligible for free school meals, children from services families and those children who are looked after by the local authority. The majority of pupils are from a White British heritage and all pupils speak English as their first, and for a small minority, their dual language.

The proportion of pupils supported through school action is average. The proportion of pupils supported at school action plus or who have a statement of special educational needs is above average. There have been changes to staffing and class structures since the previous inspection.

There are an increasing number of pupils joining the school during Key Stage 2. Since the previous inspection, the school has gained awards, which include the Bronze Eco-school, Sing-up Gold and Kidsafe accreditation. The school meets the government's current floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress.