Bank End Primary Academy

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school. From below typical starting points, children get off to a positive start in the early years.

They make good progress and, by the end of Year 6, standards in reading, writing and mathematics are in line with national averages. In all years, staff create imaginative learning experiences for pupils. As a result, pupils enjoy their lessons and learn well.

Overall, teaching has a good impact on pupils' achievement. Disadvantaged pupils achieve well. By the end of Year 6, there is no difference in the overall attainment of these pupils compared to non-disadvantaged pupils in the school.

Previous gaps in attainment have been closed. Pu...pils' behaviour is outstanding. They have a very clear understanding of right and wrong and conduct themselves well in lessons, in corridors, at playtimes and during lunchtimes.

Pupils are proud of their school. Pupils say they feel very safe and well cared for by the adults in the school. There are very positive and respectful relationships between pupils and between pupils and adults.

The pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is promoted exceptionally well through a rich and engaging curriculum. Pupils successfully participate in a wide range of after-school clubs and sporting activities. School leaders and governors have an accurate view of how the school is performing.

They have worked well together to improve the quality of teaching and pupils' behaviour and attendance since the previous inspection. The headteacher has worked hard to develop a range of partnerships with schools, other organisations and parents in order to ensure high-quality provision and support for children and families. It is not yet an outstanding school because : Over time, in Years 3 and 4, the progress pupils have made has been too slow.

There is still some teaching that requires improvement and not enough that is outstanding. Teachers and other adults do not always assess pupils' learning at regular enough intervals. This means that sometimes pupils do not make as much progress as they could.

The advice teachers write on pupils' work is clear but it is not always as useful as it could be in helping them to improve their learning. This is because pupils are not always given sufficient time to respond to teachers' advice. Teachers in the early years do not provide enough opportunities for children to practise their writing skills.

Information about this school

Bank End Primary is an average-sized primary school. The vast majority of pupils are of White British background and speak English as their first language. The proportion of disadvantaged pupils, those eligible for the pupil premium, is well above average and accounts for almost two-thirds of the pupil population.

The pupil premium is funding for pupils who are known to be eligible for free school meals and children looked after by the local authority. The proportion of disabled pupils and those with special educational needs is average. In 2014, the school did not meet the government's current floor standards, which are the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress in reading, writing and mathematics.

The school works in close partnership with Hunningley Primary School and the headteacher of Bank End is the executive headteacher of this partnership. Bank End also works with a local cluster of primary schools, within the Barnsley Teaching Schools Alliance, and a neighbouring secondary, Barnsley Academy. Provision for children is part time in the Nursery Year and full time for children in the Reception Year.