Bannockburn Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is an outstanding school.

Pupils' achievement is outstanding. Pupils make rapid progress across the school so that by the end of Year 6, the large majority of pupils have made more than the expected progress in reading, writing and mathematics. Teachers have high expectations and are skilled in planning activities which meet the needs of all groups of pupils so that the pace of learning is strong throughout lessons.

Additional adults working within the classroom provide highly effective support so that pupils are successful in their learning. Teachers' written comments in pupils' books give very good guidance to enable them to move to the next level in th...eir learning. Pupils have opportunities to edit and improve their own work and talk confidently about their learning.

Children in the Nursery and Reception classes make rapid progress. Children settle in well and develop the basic skills to help them become successful. Pupils' behaviour is exemplary both in lessons and around the school.

Pupils get on well together and say they feel safe. This is an inclusive school. Disabled pupils and those with special educational needs make exceptional progress because of the tailored provision in place.

Pupils eligible for pupil premium funding achieve well. The school's successful work in supporting these pupils, coupled with rigorous checks on their progress, has ensured that gaps between their attainment and that of other pupils have narrowed. The school has established strong links with parents and carers so they are involved in their child's education.

They speak very positively of the care shown by teachers and other adults. The headteacher is a highly competent leader. Ably assisted by her two deputy headteachers, she has ensured all leaders and teachers consistently aim for the best possible outcomes for all pupils.

Governors have an excellent understanding of the school and are effective in supporting its ongoing expansion. They are skilled in challenging school leaders in all aspects of the school's performance. Pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is excellent.

Art and music make particularly strong contributions to pupils' creative enrichment.

Information about this school

This is a much larger-than-average-sized primary school and has recently expanded so that provision is now across two sites. In the Early Years Foundation Stage there is a 104 part-time place Nursery and a Reception with four classes.

There are sixteen mixed-age classes across the school in: Years 1 and Year 2; Years 3 and 4; and Years 5 and 6. The proportion of pupils from minority ethnic backgrounds is higher than average. A large number of different ethnic backgrounds are represented.

A majority of pupils speak English as an additional language. Many are at the early stages of learning English. The number of pupils starting and leaving the school at other than at the usual times is above average.

The proportion of pupils receiving support from the pupil premium funding, which is the extra government support for pupils known to be eligible for free school meals, looked after children and those from service families, is above average. In this school it relates to pupils who are eligible for free school meals and those in local authority care. The proportion of disabled pupils and those who have special educational needs supported at school action is above average.

The proportion supported at school action plus, or who have a statement of special educational needs, is also high when compared to national figures. The school meets the government's current floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress in English and mathematics. The school has been acknowledged by the Department of Education as being among the top 250 schools nationally in terms of the progress disadvantaged pupils make in Key Stage 2.

It has been chosen to be part of the Mayor of London's Gold Club, which is a scheme that celebrates and shares exceptional practice in schools. The school was awarded the Governor Mark in 2013. The interim headteacher is currently working alongside one of the deputy headteachers who will assume the position of headteacher in September 2014.