Cullercoats Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Key Findings

This is a good school. It is not outstanding because, although pupils' achievement is good overall, it is not consistently so in Key Stage 1, where progress is satisfactory. An exceptional curriculum provides, for example, exciting opportunities for pupils in Key Stage 1 to learn in the outdoor environment and also for pupils in Key Stage 2 to use stimulating information and communication technology (ICT) programmes.

Successful links with pupils from other schools and local environment contribute greatly to outstanding spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. The positive responses from parents and carers recognise the strengths of this good school. Pupils' progress is good.

In the E...arly Years Foundation Stage children make good progress, becoming confident and independent learners. In Key Stage 1 progress is satisfactory due to insufficient challenge for pupils, particularly for the more able, and a high level of staff mobility over recent years. Progress accelerates in Key Stage 2 and, by the end of Year 6, attainment is above average with high achievement in reading.

.Teaching has greatly improved since the previous inspection, due to effective training and mentoring. It is now mostly good, with some that is outstanding.

Where it is satisfactory, teachers do not sufficiently ensure that tasks are well matched to individual needs and this slows progress Pupils feel extremely safe. They recognise that bullying can occur but are secure in the knowledge that staff will act quickly to address individual concerns. Pupils have positive attitudes to learning and their behaviour is good.

Attendance is above average. Leadership and management are good. Actions identified from the last inspection have been very well addressed and accurate self-evaluation enables the school to set a clear direction for sustained improvement.

The effective management of staff performance has led to improvements in the quality of teaching and pupils' learning in lessons.

Information about the school

In this larger than average-sized primary school, the proportion of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals is lower than the national average. There are few pupils on roll from minority ethnic groups or who speak English as an additional language.

The proportion of pupils supported by School Action Plus or with a statement of special educational needs is lower than average. The school meets the current floor standards, which set minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress. Over the past two years there has been considerable staff mobility within Key Stage 1.

The on-site after-school provision is managed privately and has been subject to a separate inspection by Ofsted. The report can be found on the Ofsted website. The school holds a range of awards, including: Eco-Schools (Silver), the Primary Science Quality Mark (Gold) and the Intermediate International Award.

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