Dove Bank Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school The headteacher and deputy headteacher are strong leaders. Governors, leaders and staff have maintained a good standard of education and good teaching since the previous inspection. Leaders and governors have done a great deal to bring about stability to staffing in recent years.

This has resulted in good improvements to pupils' progress and teaching. More can now be done to improve the way teachers assess pupils' learning in lessons and the challenges they plan for them. Good early years provision has been maintained.

Children in the early years, including the two- and three-year-olds in the Nursery unit, achieve well. Reception children... are well prepared for their education in Year 1. The teaching of reading and phonics is very effective.

Pupils make good progress in reading but there are inconsistencies in the way spelling is taught. As a result, pupils make relatively slower progress in writing compared with reading. Although improving, standards could be higher in writing.

Pupils make good progress in mathematics. Increasingly more pupils reach high standards. However, there is still scope for more pupils to study mathematics in greater depth and achieve higher standards.

The school's curriculum and enrichment activities make a strong contribution to pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. Pupils are energised by the subjects and topics they study and enjoy the many activities and visits provided. Pupils feel safe and secure.

There are positive and trusting relationships between pupils and staff. Teachers and support staff are very committed to pupils' care and well-being. Pupils who have special educational needs (SEN) and/or disabilities make good progress.

The welfare, support and interventions for these pupils are very effective. Staff are committed to this aspect of the school's work. Pupil premium funding is being used well to support learning for disadvantaged pupils.

These pupils achieve as well as others across the school and attainment gaps between them and other pupils are closing. Pupils who are in the early stages of learning English make good progress and are given effective support in lessons and at other times. Pupils are well behaved, courteous and respectful of other pupils and adults.

Pupils' enjoyment of school is also reflected in high attendance rates.

Information about this school

The school meets requirements on the publication of specified information on its website. This is a small primary school.

It admits children from the ages of two and three years in the Nursery through to Year 6. Nearly all pupils are of White British heritage and a small number are from minority ethnic groups, some of whom are in the early stages of speaking English as an additional language. Early years provision comprises the Nursery unit for two- and three-year-old children and a Reception class for four- and five-year-olds.

In addition to the early years, there are six more single-aged classes from Year 1 through to Year 6. The percentage of pupils who have SEN and/or disabilities is above that of most primary schools. A small number of pupils have a statement of special educational needs or an education, health and care plan.

Some of the pupils who have SEN and/or disabilities have autism and most have moderate learning difficulties and/or need additional support to improve their speech and language. The percentage of pupils eligible for pupil premium funding is above the national average. The school met the government's current floor standards in 2016, which are the minimum requirements for pupils' attainment and progress in reading, writing and mathematics by the end of Year 6.

The school is part of a local learning trust which provides training and development in partnership with two other schools in the area. In addition, the local authority and school leaders have commissioned support for the school as part of continuing professional development. The school has also established other partnerships with local schools to share best practice and moderate assessment information.