Croft Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school. This is a caring, successful and improving school.

Highly skilled and passionate leadership by the new headteacher, very ably supported by the deputy headteacher and governors, has led to improvements in teaching and pupils' achievement. Morale is high. Governors provide rigorous challenge and support.

They feel energised by the passion and drive of the headteacher and are fully committed to continuous improvement. All groups of pupils in all key stages make at least good progress from their starting points. By the end of Year 2 and Year 6, pupils reach standards usually well above those expected nationally, particularly in reading and m...athematics.

Standards across the school are rising. Teaching is at least good and is improving. Staff rise to the challenge to make their teaching be as effective as it can be.

Pupils' highly positive, nurturing and trusting relationships with staff boost their self-esteem and confidence in learning. Reading and mathematical skills are taught particularly well. A systematic approach enables pupils to build and confidently apply their reading as they move through the school.

Pupils use their strong understanding of mathematical concepts to solve mathematical problems. Provision in the early years is good. Due to good teaching and effective support, children achieve well and sometimes outstandingly so from their different starting points.

Pupils' behaviour is good and sometimes outstanding. Pupils show a pride in their school, feel safe and enjoy learning. Their eagerness to learn is reflected in their good punctuality and above average and improving attendance.

An exciting and stimulating range of learning experiences promotes pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development well. Pupils have a good understanding of British values. They are well prepared for life in modern Britain.

Strong and positive relationships exist with parents, external agencies and partners. It is not yet an outstanding school because : Achievement in writing is not as strong as in reading and mathematics. Fewer pupils reach the higher levels of attainment in writing.

Work is not always pitched at the right level to challenge the varying abilities of pupils, particularly the most able. Teachers' marking does not always reflect the school's marking policy. Not all pupils are clear how to improve their work.

It is not always crystal clear how the success of actions planned by middle leaders to improve teaching and achievement will be measured.

Information about this school

The school is smaller than the average-sized primary school. The current headteacher took up post in September 2014.

There has also been a change in the Chair of the Governing Body since the last inspection. The vast majority of pupils are of White British heritage. A very small proportion of pupils are from other ethnic backgrounds and cultural traditions.

No pupils speak English as an additional language. The proportion of disabled pupils or those with special educational needs is below average. The proportion of disadvantaged pupils supported through pupil premium funding is much lower than the national average.

This additional government funding is provided for those pupils known to be eligible for free school meals and those children who are looked after by the local authority. Children attend the Reception class full time. The school meets the government's current floor standard, which is the minimum expectation for pupils' achievement in English and mathematics by the end of Year 6.

The school works in close partnership with other local pre-school settings, primary schools and Culcheth High School. The school provides a breakfast and after-school club. These are subject to separate inspection.

Reports for these settings may be viewed at www.gov.uk/ofsted.