Downderry Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is an outstanding school The determination of the headteacher to make sure that all pupils believe in themselves and achieve success is shared by all staff. This contributes to a culture of high aspirations for both staff and pupils. Courteous behaviour is evident throughout the school and pupils behave in an exemplary manner.

Teaching, learning and assessment have been transformed through a highly successful method of ensuring that leadership is developed at all levels. Very robust performance management systems enable staff to take responsibility for supporting pupils' and their own learning extremely well. School leaders complete rigorous checks on the quality ...of teaching and the progress that pupils make.

This has been instrumental in the school's journey from good to outstanding since the last inspection. Teaching is outstanding. Teachers plan carefully, using their deep subject knowledge and understanding of what pupils already know and can do across the whole curriculum.

Consequently, pupils learn very effectively. Governors, school leaders and staff are fully committed to ensuring that every pupil is seen as an individual and gets the best education the school can provide. The curriculum underpins these high expectations; it strongly supports and enriches pupils' learning, helping them to learn rapidly.

Pupils enjoy many memorable experiences. Workshops, trips and visitors and a wide range of after-school events extend pupils' knowledge and understanding in artistic, creative and sporting activities. Therefore, pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is promoted exceptionally well, encouraging pupils' self-confidence.

The early years provision is outstanding. Children make exceptional progress from starting points that are below those typical for their age, and leave the early years ready for Year 1. They are well supported and grow in confidence quickly.

The children are remarkably motivated to learn both inside and out as a result of the many activities on offer.

Information about this school

This school is larger than the average-sized primary school. The proportion of pupils from minority ethnic backgrounds is above average, as is the proportion of pupils who speak English as an additional language.

The proportion of pupils who receive support though the pupil premium funding is above average. The pupil premium is additional government funding given to schools for disadvantaged pupils who are eligible for free school meals or are looked after by the local authority. The proportion of pupils who have special educational needs or disability is just below national averages.

The school meets the government's current floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress. The school runs a breakfast and after-school club, which is managed by the governing body. The school meets requirements on the publication of specified information on its website.