Burnley Stoneyholme Community Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is an outstanding school.

From their different starting points, pupils make exceptional progress in reading, writing and mathematics. Disadvantaged pupils' progress is outstanding and often stronger than that of their peers. On entry, the large majority of children can speak little or no English.

Despite this, by the time they leave Key Stage 1, pupils' skill development is average. By the time they leave Key Stage 2, the standards they reach are consistently above average. This demonstrates outstanding progress.

Teaching is outstanding. Teachers always check pupils' understanding regularly and use this information to create activities which matc...h pupils' needs very closely. Activities are often highly challenging, although in a very small minority of lessons the highest levels of challenge are not seen.

In books, teachers give pupils very useful feedback. This is the case even in younger years and all pupils respond to the feedback, thus making regular improvements and leading to very rapid progress in their learning. Pupils' attitudes to learning are very positive.

They love the activities they do because they are challenging and enjoyable. Teachers work very effectively to capture pupils' interests and constantly adjust the provision where they see any early signs of underachievement. Pupils' conduct around school is excellent.

Pupils are very proud of their school and they are respectful towards one another and all adults. Pupils are safe and confirm that they feel safe. They attend well and punctuality to school is excellent.

Leadership of the school is excellent. The inspirational headteacher has directed staff exceptionally well since the previous inspection so that all members of staff are fully focused on effectively supporting the pupils in all ways. Teaching is now outstanding and pupils now make outstanding progress.

The headteacher has developed excellent systems to ensure other senior and middle leaders are ready to take initiative and create innovative practices which enhance pupils' achievement as well as their spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. Leaders also provide outstanding support for families, who value the work of the school very much. Governors support the school very well and have a very clear understanding of the school's key strengths.

Like other leaders, they are ambitious for the school's future. The early years' provision for the youngest children is excellent. By the time they leave Reception, children can speak English fluently.

As a result, children are then able to access the wider curriculum and make excellent progress from their low starting points.

Information about this school

This is larger than the average-sized primary school. The majority of pupils are of Pakistani and Bangladeshi heritage.

A much larger than average proportion of pupils speak English as an additional language. The proportion of pupils supported by the pupil premium is much higher than the national average. The pupil premium is additional government funding to support pupils who are known to be eligible for free school meals or who are looked after by the local authority.

The proportion of pupils with disabilities or special educational needs is below the national average. Children enter the school in Reception on a full-time basis. The school meets the government's current floor standards, which are the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress in reading, writing and mathematics by the end of Year 6.