Barnes Farm Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school The headteacher, working with his deputy, has effectively established a culture of high expectations. This is encapsulated well in the school motto of 'Aim High Fly Higher'. Leaders are unrelenting in their drive to improve the school.

Consequently, standards of work are rising quickly and a good trend of improvement is evident in results at the end of key stage 2. Pupils across the school are making good progress in their learning. Pupils are attaining standards that are above the national average by the end of key stage 2.

Pupils' skills in reading are exceptionally well developed and they develop in-depth understanding of the texts the...y are reading. While most pupils are making good progress in their writing, boys are not achieving as well as girls. In addition, the standards and quality of pupils' written work in other subjects are not as good as their work in English.

Pupils who have special educational needs and/or disabilities are very well supported and they make good, often strong, progress from their starting points. Attendance levels are above average. Teachers plan lessons well and they make good use of support staff to help pupils with their learning.

While the work pupils are given in lessons is usually challenging, occasionally it is too easy, especially for the most able. Occasionally, some pupils find the work too hard. Pupils' learning is supported by a relevant curriculum that is well put together.

Topics capture pupils' interests. Trips and visits out, and visitors to the school, broaden the curriculum and make it more exciting. The school has established its own core values and attributes for learning to support pupils' personal development.

These make a positive contribution to pupils' good spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. Pupils behave well in and around the school. Lessons proceed smoothly and calmly.

Pupils get on well with one another. They readily, and effectively, work together in lessons. Staff look after pupils well and keep them safe.

Most pupils feel happy and safe in school. Parents express contrasting views. A small minority are concerned about the quality of education and behaviour.

Many others give fulsome praise, recognising how the school has improved since its previous inspection. Governors provide very good oversight of the school's work and are planning well for the longer-term future of the school. The local authority provides good support.

Information about this school

The school meets requirements on the publication of specified information on its website. The school is larger in size than other primary schools nationally. There are more boys than girls on roll.

The proportion of pupils supported by the pupil premium is below average. Nearly all pupils are White British and very few speak English as an additional language. The proportion of pupils who have special educational needs and/or disabilities is above average.

A well above-average proportion of pupils have a statement of special educational needs or an education, health and care plan. The school meets the government's floor standards. These are the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress in reading, writing and mathematics by the end of Year 6.