Darley Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school The governors, headteacher and staff are united in their determination to secure and maintain improvement. Consequently, teaching and pupils' outcomes have improved to good.

Teachers have embraced change and, with leaders, have addressed the areas identified as requiring improvement at the last inspection. The marking of pupils' work is regular and tells pupils what they need to do to improve their work, in line with school policy. This is contributing to good progress for all pupils.

Pupils are proud of the work recorded in their books. This reflects their teachers' more explicit expectations of handwriting and presentation. Leadership a...nd management are good.

Regular discussions about pupils' work ensure that leaders hold teachers effectively to account for the progress pupils make over time. Relationships between pupils and staff are very strong. Pupils are always polite and respectful and this means they listen and respond well to teachers' explanations and guidance.

The early years provision continues to be a strength of the school. Consequently, children get off to a good start and are well prepared for their time in key stage 1. Governors have high aspirations for the school and have helped in driving improvement over time.

They hold leaders to account for the quality of provision and pupils' outcomes. Pupils' behaviour in and around school is outstanding and contributes to the very positive day-to-day experiences of pupils and their parents. Consequently, pupils attend well and speak very highly of their time at the school.

It is not yet an outstanding school because : Small inconsistencies in teaching mean that occasionally the work set does not challenge the most-able pupils well enough to deepen or extend their understanding, particularly in mathematics. The systems for assessing and tracking the attainment and progress of pupils do not provide leaders and governors with an accurate view of the progress of different groups over time.

Information about this school

This school is much smaller than the average-sized primary school.

The number on roll has declined over the last three years. The proportion of pupils from minority ethnic backgrounds is above the national average. No pupil is currently at an early stage of speaking English as an additional language.

More pupils leave or join the school midway through their primary education than is typical. Only a very small number of pupils are supported by the pupil premium. The pupil premium is additional funding for pupils known to be eligible for free school meals and children looked after by the local authority.

Numbers are so small that comparison with national figures is unreliable and is not reported in the findings. The proportion of pupils who have special educational needs or disability is in line with the national average. Recent additions mean the school meets requirements on the publication of specified information on its website.