Arundale Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school.

From starting points that are well below average when they start school, pupils make good progress in all key stages. In 2012, Year 6 pupils reached average standards in English and mathematics. A greater proportion of more-able pupils reached above average standards in English than in mathematics.

However, standards in mathematics have risen this academic year. Standards by the end of Key Stage 1 are broadly average and improving, especially in writing and mathematics. Teaching is consistently good throughout the school and a significant proportion of teaching is outstanding.

Teachers ensure that lessons are interesting and tha...t the pace of learning is brisk. Information about what pupils know and can do already is used well to plan activities at the correct level which enable them to learn well. Pupils behave well and feel happy and safe in school.

A typical comment from one pupil was that in this school 'people respect each other'. Leadership and management are good. The headteacher is determined that every pupil should receive the best education possible.

He and other senior leaders have ensured that the quality of teaching and achievement have improved. The governing body checks regularly that all groups of pupils are making good progress and achieving well. It is not yet an outstanding school because : Teaching is not yet outstanding because the activities set for the more-able pupils are not difficult enough to help pupils work at a higher level.

Pupils' progress is good, rather than outstanding, because not enough of them make more than expected progress, especially from Key Stage 1 to Key Stage 2. Teaching, and pupils' progress in English, is better than in mathematics. Although teaching is improving in mathematics there is not always enough attention given to solving problems.

Information about this school

This is a smaller than average sized primary school. Just over one tenth of pupils are from minority ethnic groups and less than one in ten of all pupils speak English as an additional language. An above average proportion is known to be eligible for the pupil premium which, in this school, provides additional funding for children in local authority care and pupils known to be eligible for free school meals.

The proportion of disabled pupils and those with special educational needs supported through school action, and also at school action plus or with a statement of special educational needs are both below average. In 2012, the school met the government's current floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress in English and mathematics. Since the previous inspection, there has been a new executive headteacher, who joined the school in January, 2011.

The executive headteacher is employed to lead three local schools, including Arundale Primary School. He is a National Leader of Education and one of the other two schools is a National Support School designated by the National College. Arundale Primary and other schools receive training from the executive headteacher and the National Support School.