Appletree Gardens First School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school. Significant improvements have been made in pupils' achievement, the quality of teaching and in pupils' behaviour since the last inspection. Pupils' achievement is now good.

From below average starting points, pupils in Year 4 reach standards that are above those expected for their age in reading, writing and mathematics. Teaching is typically good, and some is outstanding. Pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is a strength of the school and is promoted very well through a wide range of activities.

Pupils typically behave well in lessons and around the school. They say they feel safe and they show care and considerati...on towards one another. The headteacher's leadership is effective and she has worked extremely hard to raise achievement and improve the quality of teaching and pupils' behaviour.

She is supported well by other key leaders who are also committed to improving the school. Members of the effective governing body make a strong contribution to school improvement as they use their skills and expertise well to provide strategic direction for the work of the school. It is not yet an outstanding school because : Although excellent practice is beginning to be shared, this has not yet ensured enough outstanding teaching across the school.

Teaching, although it enables pupils to develop good basic skills, does not always provide pupils with opportunities for creative learning or to discover things for themselves. Teachers do not always ask challenging questions to enable pupils to think more deeply about their learning. In a few lessons, there is not always a high level of challenge for pupils to extend their learning further.

Information about this school

This is larger than the average-sized primary school. The proportion of pupils known to be eligible for the pupil premium (which provides additional funding for pupils known to be eligible for free school meals, those in local authority care and children from service families) is above the national average. The proportion of disabled pupils and those who have special educational needs supported through school action is broadly average.

The proportion supported through school action plus or who have a statement of special educational needs is also average. The majority of pupils are from White British backgrounds. There is a small proportion of minority ethnic pupils who speak English as an additional language.

There is no alternative or off-site provision. The school is not subject to the government's floor standards as pupils leave at the end of Year 4. The breakfast and after-school clubs are managed by the governing body within the children's centre which is based on the school premises.

The children's centre is no longer managed by the governing body and did not form part of this inspection. On 13 June 2013, the school became a Trust School. There have been some staffing changes recently, including the appointment of a new Early Years Foundation Stage leader.