Appleton Thorn Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Main findings

This is an outstanding school. The driving force in its success is excellent leadership.

A description of this that sums up typical views of parents and carers who responded to the pre-inspection questionnaire is, 'dynamic and reflective leaders with a real sense of vision for the school's long and mid-term future'. This outstanding leadership at all levels provides clear direction and promotes an extremely strong desire from all staff that each pupil will succeed. Children begin the Early Years Foundation Stage with skills which are broadly in-line with those expected at this age.

They make good progress in the Reception class because of the good quality of provision provided, particularly i...n the outdoor environment. However, because planning, assessment and observation systems are not always focused closely on identifying the next steps needed to fully extend children's learning, progress is good, rather than outstanding. The outstanding quality of teaching in Years 1 to 6 ensures that rates of progress accelerate rapidly and all groups of pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities consistently make outstanding progress.

As a result, pupils' attainment in English and mathematics by the time they leave in Year 6 is high. Pupils are excellent ambassadors for the school. They are articulate, enthusiastic and independent learners.

Their exemplary behaviour and tangible enjoyment of school, which are reflected in their high attendance, confirm this view. They show an excellent understanding of what is needed to lead healthy, safe and ecologically sensitive lifestyles. Outstanding care, support and guidance and excellent partnerships within the community contribute very effectively to pupils' outstanding achievement and social and emotional development.

Pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is outstanding. The highly innovative curriculum is enriched with excellent features. These include many high class opportunities for pupils to extend their research and information and communication technology (ICT) skills very effectively across all subjects.

It also provides a wide range of interesting after-school clubs, which provides many opportunities for pupils to excel in art, sport and music. The excellent track record of continued improvement since the last inspection, effectively illustrates leaders' and the governing body's outstanding ambition and drive. The school is aware of its strengths and areas for development and has shown it takes effective action to ensure improvement.

This commitment illustrates very well the outstanding capacity that the school has to improve further.

Information about the school

The school is similar in size to others of its type. The proportion of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals is below average.

The percentage of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities is below average. Almost all pupils are of White British heritage. A few are from minority ethnic groups.

The school has gained the Activemark, Artsmark Silver, ICT Mark, Financial Management Standards in Schools, National PSHE Accreditation, International Schools Award (intermediate status) and Healthy School status. Privately run before- and after-school provision is situated within the school building. This provision was subject to a separate inspection and a report about its quality can be found on the Ofsted website.