Appleton Roebuck Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is an outstanding school.

Children get an excellent start to their education in this warm and welcoming school. They make outstanding progress in the Early Years Foundation Stage due to excellent teaching from all adults and a caring, supportive approach to settling children into learning quickly. Pupils continue to make outstanding progress across the school due to excellent teaching.

By the time they leave school in Year 6 pupils reach standards that are well above the national average. Teachers meet pupils' needs exceptionally well as lessons are planned thoroughly. High expectations and stimulating activities ensure pupils achieve exceptionally well.<...br/>
Marking is regular but does not always make it clear what pupils need to do to improve. They are not always sure how to check on their success during lessons. Very skilful teaching assistants provide excellent support to groups, as well as individual pupils, both in and out of lessons.

They know their pupils well and, as a result, their needs are met successfully. The school's curriculum includes many rich and varied opportunities for pupils to explore a wide range of skills. A wide range of visits, visitors and after-school clubs enrich pupils' learning further.

Pupils behave exceptionally well in this school, which is like 'one big family'. They thoroughly enjoy coming to school. They all work and play together in harmony.

Pupils have a very wide understanding of how to keep safe in different situations and feel secure in school. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural experiences underpin the work of the school. Pupils relate exceptionally well to each other.

They also have many opportunities to participate in creative and sporting activities that promote teamwork and an understanding of the world around them and further afield. The headteacher has high expectations and leads by example. He is supported exceptionally well by a dedicated and skilful team of staff.

Monitoring of pupils' progress and teaching is rigorous. As a result, pupils reach high standards and the many strengths identified in the previous inspection have been extended. The governing body challenges leaders and checks that the school is consistently performing as well as it can.

Governors are very supportive and know their school exceptionally well. They check effectively on the quality of teaching. Governors check that teachers are set challenging targets and are held to account for pupils' progress.

Information about this school

The school is smaller in size than an average-sized primary school. A well-below-average proportion of pupils are known to be eligible for the pupil premium which is additional funding for those pupils who are known to be eligible for free school meals, children from service families and those children who are looked after by the local authority. A below-average proportion of pupils are supported at school action.

An average proportion of pupils are supported at school action plus or have a statement of special educational needs. The majority of pupils are of White British Heritage. The school has achieved the Healthy Schools and Sports Active Mark awards.

The school meets the government's current floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress in English and mathematics. The Early Years Foundation Stage is currently taught in one class which includes Reception and Year 1 pupils. The school has a wide range of after-school clubs provided by the school.