Bishop Lonsdale Church of England Primary Academy

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school. All groups of pupils achieve well.

They make good progress in the Early Years Foundation Stage, Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2. Most pupils start the Early Years Foundation Stage with knowledge, skills and understanding which are broadly in line with expectations. By the end of Year 6 attainment is above the national average in both English and mathematics.

In 2012 a significantly high proportion of Year 6 pupils attained higher levels in both English and mathematics. Teaching is good. Relationships are positive.

Support is effective. Teachers ask questions which promote pupils' language and learning well. Most parents and carers a...re positive about the school.

They are engaged well in their children's learning through information they receive about progress, frequently hearing their children read and regularly overseeing their homework. Pupils generally behave well in and out of lessons. They feel safe and enjoy school.

Attendance is above the national average. Leaders and managers, including governors, know the school well. They use this accurate understanding to drive improvements.

Their success is evident in the quality of teaching and the achievement of all. Pupil's spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is promoted well through assemblies, links with the church and visitors from a range of faiths and cultures. It is not yet an outstanding school because : Sometimes teachers do not use their assessments of pupils' knowledge and understanding well to plan activities which are suitably challenging and engaging for them all.

Occasionally, teachers' marking is not accurate and does not show pupils how to improve or extend their learning. On occasion pupils are not given time to respond to, or benefit from, effective marking.

Information about this school

Bishop Lonsdale Church of England VC Primary School is smaller than most other primary schools.

It is situated in a small market town near Stafford. The proportion of pupils from minority ethnic groups is much lower than in most other schools. Very few pupils speak English as an additional language.

The proportion of pupils eligible for the pupil premium, additional funding given to the school to support specific groups of pupils, is smaller than in most other schools. A few pupils are looked after or known to be eligible for free school meals and none have parents in the armed forces. The proportion of disabled pupils and those who have special educational needs supported through school action is below average.

The proportion of pupils supported at school action plus or with a statement of special educational needs is also below average. 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 close links with groups in the town who provide care before and after school.

The school currently uses two buildings which are separated by a main road. Pupils are always supervised to cross this. Building work to accommodate the whole school on one side of the road was in progress during the inspection.

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