Bowhill Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school The headteacher provides strong and determined leadership. Together with other leaders and governors, she has improved teaching through establishing a culture of high expectations for all and effective support for teachers.

Leaders accurately understand the school's strengths and weaknesses. Those new to the leadership team are supported well by those with more experience. They are beginning to develop the skills necessary to enable them to contribute fully to the school improvement process.

Teaching, learning and assessment have improved significantly and are now good. As a result, pupils' progress is good and standards are rising. An in...creasing proportion of pupils are achieving close to, or above, the expected standard in reading, writing and mathematics.

Pupils are making much better progress in writing than in previous years. However, the progress of some pupils is slowed because : their spelling is sometimes inaccurate, the range of vocabulary they use can be limited and they sometimes lack chances to develop their skills in other subjects. The most able pupils, including the most able disadvantaged, are challenged to do their best and achieve well.

Pupils who have special educational needs and/or disabilities make good progress. Their needs are identified quickly and they receive well-targeted support. Governors have significantly improved their knowledge and skills since the previous inspection.

They now have a good understanding of how well the school is doing and are increasingly able to hold leaders to account. Children in the early years settle quickly and confidently into school. They get off to a good start because of effective teaching and the care and support they receive.

Pupils enjoy learning and are keen to improve their work. However, between classes, the implementation of the school's marking and feedback policy is not consistent. Pupils feel safe and very well supported at school.

They are polite, friendly, well behaved and very proud of their school. They work hard and appreciate the many opportunities the school provides for them. Parents expressed their confidence in the school to teach their children well and to keep them safe.

Information about this school

The school does not meet requirements on the publication of information about pupil premium funding on its website. Bowhill is much larger than the average-sized primary school. There are three classes in the Reception Year.

There are mixed-age classes for Years 1 and 2, Years 3 and 4, and Years 5 and 6. Most pupils are of White British backgrounds and few speak English as an additional language. The proportion of pupils supported by the pupil premium funding is just below the national average.

The proportion of pupils receiving support for their special educational needs and/or disabilities is above average. The proportion who have a statement of special educational needs or an education, health and care plan is similar to the national average. The school meets the government's current floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress in reading, writing and mathematics.