Castleton Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is an outstanding school.

Pupils' achievement is outstanding. They typically have attainment which is well- above average and make outstanding progress from their starting points. Teaching is outstanding.

Work is challenging and pitched at exactly the right level for all pupils. Marking is very well done so that pupils are clear about the level of their work and know how to improve it. Teachers make it extremely clear to pupils what they are to learn.

They ask questions which stretch pupils. Teaching assistants are exceptionally skilful at supporting and teaching pupils of all abilities. The excellent curriculum excites pupils, helps them see the... links between subjects and offers them many chances to practise their writing and mathematics.

However, opportunities are missed to unlock pupils' higher level skills of investigation and creativity: for example, to apply their mathematical skills in real-life problem-solving situations and to write imaginatively and at length in English and other subjects. The school offers excellent care and support and provides extremely well for pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. Pupils' behaviour is excellent; they say they feel extremely safe.

They like the way the school helps them to learn alongside and make friends with pupils in other schools. The leadership of the headteacher is excellent. She has maintained the school's outstanding status by improving teaching.

She has excellent procedures to check the progress of individual pupils. With the governing body, the headteacher has an extremely clear view of the school's strengths and relative weaknesses. They have skilfully managed the federation of two schools to the benefit of staff, pupils and the local community.

This is clearly a school that continues to improve.

Information about this school

This school is much smaller than the average-sized primary school. All pupils are White British.

The proportion of pupils known to be eligible for the pupil premium is below average. (The pupil premium is additional funding for those pupils who are known to be eligible for free school meals, children from service families and those children that are looked after.) The proportion of pupils supported at school action is well-below average.

The proportion of pupils supported at school action plus or with a statement of special educational needs is well-below average. The school's Year 6 classes are too small to be measured against the government's current floor standards. These set out the minimum expectations for pupils' progress and attainment.

There is a breakfast club and after school childcare managed by the Governing Body and many after-school clubs which are run voluntarily by staff, parents and friends of the school. The school has been federated with Glaisdale Primary School since April 2013. The schools have been in a loose federation since March 2012.

There is one governing body for both schools. The headteacher is headteacher of both schools, between which she shares her time. When she is in the other school, the day-to-day management of this school is conducted by the Key Stage 2 teacher.

Teachers and teaching assistants work between both schools. The school works in partnership with other schools, colleges and businesses in a wider geographical area. There are two classes: for pupils in Reception and Years 1 and 2; and Years 3, 4, 5 and 6.