Coombe Road Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school Leaders and governors have arrested and reversed a significant decline in the quality of pupils' learning and behaviour since the previous inspection.

In the words of one member of staff, 'The school has come a long way.' Since their appointment, the headteacher and deputy headteacher have won the respect of parents, staff and pupils alike. They have raised expectations, re-established pupils' good behaviour and improved staff morale.

Substantial improvements in the quality of teaching, learning and assessment during the past year-and-a-half mean that pupils are making much better progress than previously. As a result, standards in Englis...h and mathematics are rising in all year groups. However, teaching does not yet deepen and extend pupils' understanding sufficiently, particularly for the most able pupils.

Parents recognise substantial improvements in the school since the previous inspection. One parent expressed the views of many when she commented, 'Whatever they are doing is working for all pupils, so they need to keep doing it!' Pupils are polite, friendly and welcoming. They are proud of their school and behave well.

Clear expectations, effective safeguarding procedures and strong relationships ensure that pupils are safe and secure. Effective leadership, high expectations and good-quality teaching in the early years mean that children settle very well into school life and make strong progress. However, activities in the early years outdoor area do not yet support boys' learning fully enough.

Middle leaders' roles in supporting improvements in teaching and learning are at an early stage of development. They do not yet make a sufficiently strong contribution to the school's improvement.

Information about this school

The school meets requirements on the publication of specified information on its website.

The school meets the government's current floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress. The school is an average-sized primary school. The proportion of pupils supported by the pupil premium is higher than that found in most schools.

Most pupils are White British. The proportion of pupils who speak English as an additional language is below the national average. The proportion of pupils who have special educational needs and/or disabilities is above the national average.

The headteacher and deputy headteacher were both appointed in September 2016. The school works in partnership with a number of local schools in the locality through the Unity Partnership. The school runs a breakfast club.