Brownlow Fold Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Main findings

This is a good school.

The senior leaders, managers and governors provide good direction for the school with a determined focus by all on continued improvement. Leadership responsibilities are distributed effectively and team-work is strong; this results in a united, determined and clear vision about what can be achieved. High expectations are set and rigorous self-evaluation is accurate, leading to secure plans for improvement which are sharply focused on raising achievement.

The areas for development raised at the last inspection have been regularly monitored and reviewed with on-going improvements to practice which are having a positive impact on outcomes. This is reflected in examples of ...outstanding personal development and improving attainment which demonstrates a good capacity for sustained improvement. The outstanding provision and leadership in the Early Years Foundation Stage, including that for the under threes, ensures that children make an excellent start to their education from their attainment on entry, which is overall well below those expected for their age.

Learning and progress, including for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities, are good and improving. There are a few examples of outstanding progress. Pupils reach average and improving levels of attainment by the end of Year 6.

This is due to good teaching, some of which is outstanding. Teaching is engaging and provides opportunities for pupils to use and apply their basic skills in different subjects and real life contexts. However, occasionally the pace in lessons slows and opportunities to challenge pupils further, particularly the more able, and maintaining their active engagement are not fully exploited.

Use of assessment strategies to support learning are in place, although these are not always consistently applied across subjects and classes to ensure all pupils understand clearly what the next steps in their learning are. The good curriculum has a clear focus on developing pupils' skills, particularly language skills, across all subjects. The importance of first-hand experiences is strongly embedded, including a residential visit and a joint visit to France with another school.

A range of extra-curricular activities, such as gardening, cricket and choir, is offered to pupils and promotes their personal development well. Attendance is now high as a consequence of the very effective strategies which the school has employed, including through its outstanding engagement with parents and carers. Pupils say they feel extremely safe and their contribution to the school and wider community is excellent.

Care, guidance and support and safeguarding are also exemplary, reflecting the high levels of commitment and skill among the staff in ensuring pupils' safety and well-being.

Information about the school

Brownlow Fold is an average-sized primary school. The majority of pupils are from minority ethnic groups and many are at an early stage of learning to speak English as an additional language.

There are 13 languages used within the schools and the percentage of pupils who speak English as an additional language is well above national average. A below-average proportion of pupils are of a White British heritage. The percentage of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals is above the national average.

The proportion of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities, including those with a statement of special educational needs is also above the national average. The school has gained Leading Parent Partnership Award, Inclusion Quality Mark, Healthy School status, Active Schools Award, Eco Silver Award and Intermediate International Schools Award. The school has a breakfast club and a large Nursery which includes provision for children under three, which are managed by the school's governing body.

Inspection grades: 1 is outstanding, 2 is good, 3 is satisfactory and 4 is inadequate Please turn to the glossary for a description of the grades and inspection terms