Balgowan Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school The headteacher, ably supported by the strong leadership team, is rightly focusing on improving pupils' rates of progress. The leadership team, including governors, has a clear understanding of what needs to be done to further improve the school. Leaders ensure that the curriculum strongly promotes the school's core values.

Pupils respect themselves and others and are well prepared for life in modern Britain. Pupils are confident and articulate. They are keen to discuss their learning.

Pupils feel safe in school. They know that adults will help them should they have any concerns. Phonics is taught well.

For the last three years, ...pupils' outcomes in the Year 1 phonics screening check have been consistently strong. Strong teaching enables most pupils to make good progress from their starting points in English and mathematics. The early years provision enables children to make a good start to their education.

The early years curriculum is well designed and ensures that children are ready for Year 1. The majority of parents are positive about the school and appreciate how staff help their children to learn well. Middle leaders are addressing the weaknesses in their areas of responsibility and are making a positive impact on pupils' learning.

However, they are not yet fully involved in the strategic development of their subjects. Overall, teachers' expectations are high. However, sometimes the work set is not challenging enough for middle-ability pupils and the most able pupils.

Pupils' progress in the wider curriculum is not closely monitored by leaders. As a result, there are variations in the rates of progress that pupils make in these subjects.

Information about this school

The school meets requirements on the publication of specified information on its website.

The school complies with Department for Education guidance on what academies should publish. The percentage of pupils who speak English as an additional language is lower than the national average. The proportion of pupils eligible for the pupil premium funding is well below the national average.

The proportion of pupils who have SEN and/or disabilities is below the national average. The school meets the government's current floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for attainment and progress by the end of Year 6. The headteacher took up her post in September 2016.