Ashcombe Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school.

Pupils achieve well because they are all 'nurtured, valued and motivated' – just as the school logo says! Teaching is typically good and has improved since the last inspection. Pupils are happy and feel safe and secure. They behave well in class and around the school.

Pupils take an interest in their learning because lessons are made interesting and fun. The talented team in the Early Years Foundation Stage makes sure that every child gets an excellent start to their education. By helping individual staff to improve the weaker aspects of their teaching skills, the headteacher has successfully improved pupils' learning.

Individua...l staff development plans are closely linked to annual performance reviews and pay awards. The forward-thinking headteacher makes the very best use of the strengths of his senior leadership team. He has skilfully developed other experienced teachers to capably lead on key areas of responsibility.

Governors have a good understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the school. They are fully involved in its life and are not afraid to ask important questions. It is not yet an outstanding school because : Pupils who are capable of doing much harder work are not always given enough opportunities to do so by their teachers.

Subject leaders and class teachers are yet to use the information gained from checks on pupils' progress to help pupils make faster progress.

Information about this school

This is a larger than average-sized primary school. In Years 1 to 6 there are two classes per year group with an intake of 60 per year.

The school is currently expanding and there are now three Reception classes which provide places for 90 children. Reception children are taught in the Early Years Foundation Stage, based in the adjacent children's centre which is run by the local authority. Although the proportions of pupils who are from minority ethnic groups and those who use English as an additional language remains well below average, they are increasing year on year.

The proportion of pupils receiving support internally from the school for moderate learning difficulties, speech and language delay, and emotional and behavioural needs is above average. (These pupils are supported through school action.) The proportion of pupils receiving specialist support from outside agencies to help them with physical, moderate learning, emotional and behavioural needs is below average.

(These pupils are supported by school action plus or a statement of special educational needs.) The proportion of pupils eligible for additional government funding, which is known as pupil premium and supports those pupils who are risk of failing to do as well as other pupils, are well above average. The school meets the government's current floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress.

Breakfast club and after-school provision are managed by the school. The school uses its own facilities to teach pupils and does not use any alternative provision. A new school building is currently under construction and is due to be completed ready for September 2013.