Dr South’s Church of England Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school. Attainment for pupils who have been at Dr South's for all of their education is above national levels in Year 6, with an increasing number of pupils working at the higher Level 5.

Most pupils are making good progress in reading and mathematics. Almost all teaching is good, with an increasing proportion that is outstanding. Children in the Early Years Foundation Stage are particularly well taught and supported so that they make good progress in their learning and personal development.

Staff, parents, carers and pupils share a strong belief in the values of their school. Pupils are very happy at school. Warm and trusting relationships unde...rpin their enjoyment of learning.

Pupils' behaviour is good, both in lessons and around the school. Pupils feel extremely safe in school and are nurtured well. The high numbers of pupils who join Key Stage 2 during the school year quickly settle in.

The headteacher has been highly effective in leading changes that have resulted in rapid improvements in teaching and pupils' achievement since his appointment. He is strongly supported by a knowledgeable and challenging governing body. The school provides pupils with an interesting range of subjects, topics and experiences which contribute strongly to the pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development.

Everyone is included and respected. It is not yet an outstanding school because : The proportion of outstanding teaching is not yet high enough to ensure all pupils' progress is rapid and sustained across all year groups. Occasional lack of focus on certain essential skills and aspects such as presentation has meant pupils' progress in writing has been inconsistent, particularly in Years 3 and 4.

Teachers' comments when marking pupils' work do not always help pupils to improve their work effectively. Some subject leaders are new to their roles and have not been fully involved in checking the quality of teaching or pupils' attainment.

Information about this school

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

The majority of pupils come from a White British background. The proportion of disabled pupils and those who have special educational needs supported through school action is below average, as is the proportion supported at school action plus or with a statement of special educational needs. The proportion of pupils supported by the pupil premium (additional government funding for specific groups of pupils, including those known to be eligible for free school meals) is very small.

During the inspection, there were no pupils supported by the pupil premium at the school. The Early Years Foundation Stage is made up of one class containing full-time Reception children and part-time Nursery children. The school also offers the option of flexible 'wrap around care' for part-time Nursery children to extend their time in school to full-time.

An above average proportion of pupils join the school part-way through their primary school education. A large proportion of these pupils have special educational needs. More than a third of the Year 6 pupils in 2012 did not start their education at the school.

The headteacher was appointed in September 2011. A before-school breakfast club and after school provision, managed by the governing body, run daily. The school meets the government's current floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress.