Aston-on-Trent Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Main findings

Aston-on-Trent provides a good education for its pupils.There is a very positive atmosphere in the school, created by the good care, guidance and support provided. Pupils enjoy school and attendance is high.

They say they feel safe and know they can talk to adults about any problems they are having. Pupils' understanding of the importance of leading a healthy lifestyle is very secure, as pupils eat healthily and participate wholeheartedly in the many sporting activities available to them in and out of school. These activities include dance, martial arts, multi-sports, football and cycling.

Pupils' spiritual, moral and social development is good, with strengths in the latter two areas. Pupils ...clearly know right from wrong, showing respect and care for one another. They are eager to support the school community, for example, as school councillors, mini-leaders, 'buddies' and peer mediators.

They readily raise money for a range of charities such as the Uganda Orphanage, and are keen to represent the school in community activities, helping to staff stalls at the summer and Christmas fairs, being involved in the 'Well Dressing Festival', and attending local church events. While pupils have a good awareness of their own locality, their understanding of the diversity of life in the United Kingdom and in the wider world is underdeveloped. Over recent years, attainment by the end of Year 6 has been well above average in English.

In mathematics, attainment has fluctuated, and the most able pupils have not consistently attained the level they should. The leadership responded well to the decline in mathematics attainment in 2009. Actions taken by the school have raised the level of challenge for more able pupils in Years 3 to 6.

As a result, more pupils attained Level 5 in mathematics in 2010, than in the past. However, the analysis of progress information shows although progress is good, it is faster in some year groups than in others. Target setting for Year 6 pupils is rigorous, but targets are not set for all pupils on a yearly basis.

This means teachers do not have clear guidance about the level of attainment expected. Meetings take place to discuss progress, but these in the past have not been able to ensure the consistently good progress of pupils, especially in mathematics. All staff and governors share the headteacher's clear vision for school improvement and a strong team ethos is evident.

Self-evaluation is thorough, and successfully identifies the right priorities to bring about sustained improvement. Almost all parents who responded to the questionnaire feel that their children enjoy school and they are kept safe. A small minority feel that the school does not take enough regard of their suggestions and concerns.

The leadership, including governors, are not complacent and rigorously question any weaknesses in provision, taking any necessary action. The impact of this can be seen in the halting of the decline in mathematics attainment, and in the narrowing of the gap between boys' and girls' attainment in the Early Years Foundation Stage. This alongside maintaining well above average attainment in English shows the school has good capacity to improve further.

Information about the school

In this average sized primary school, almost all pupils are White British. The few pupils from minority ethnic groups are fluent English speakers. The proportion of pupils who have special educational needs and/or disabilities is well below average, although the proportion of those with a statement of special educational needs is broadly average.

The proportion of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals is well below average. The Early Years Foundation Stage consists of one Reception class. The school has gained a number of awards including Healthy Schools status, Sports Activemark (Silver) and Basic Skills Quality Mark.