Alston Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school Leaders have ensured that teaching has improved since the previous inspection. Senior and middle leaders are ambitious for pupils and the Alston community. Leadership of early years is highly effective.

The early years leader typifies the passion and commitment of all leaders. Senior leaders know what needs to be done to secure consistently strong teaching across the school. There is further scope for leaders at all levels to support high-quality teaching.

The curriculum enables pupils to secure skills and knowledge in a range of subjects. Pupils learn well across a wide range of topics. The provision for pupils' spiritual, moral, social ...and cultural development is effective.

This helps pupils understand the importance of tolerance and respect in today's society. This year, most pupils are making strong gains in their learning, most notably in reading. The teaching of early reading is particularly strong.

Leaders and staff understand the importance of pupils securing phonic skills. Disadvantaged pupils are making better progress this year when compared with previous years. Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) do not work on activities on their own frequently enough.

The most able pupils do not write with the flair they are capable of. In mathematics, they are not given harder tasks quickly enough in lessons. Governance is a strength of the school.

Pupils receive excellent pastoral support. This results in them being able to reflect on and protect their mental health and well-being. A vigilant safeguarding culture ensures that pupils are kept safe.

Pupils show good conduct around the school and during lessons. Pupils attend well. Few are persistently absent.

Children receive an excellent quality of education in early years.

Information about this school

Alston is larger than the average-sized primary school. The proportion of pupils who are supported by the pupil premium is above average.

Almost all pupils come from minority ethnic backgrounds. Most pupils are from a Pakistani background. Three quarters of pupils speak English as an additional language.

The proportion of pupils with SEND is similar to the national average. The proportion of pupils who have an education, health and care plan is below the national average. The school runs a breakfast club for its pupils.

The early years is made up of a part-time Nursery provision and three Reception classes. There are three classes for each year group in Years 1 to 6. The school is part of the Leigh Multi-Academy Trust, which has legal and strategic responsibilities for all of the schools in the Leigh Trust.