Ellenborough Academy

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school. Teaching is good. As a result, pupils make good progress from their starting points in reading, writing and mathematics.

The standards that pupils reach by the time they leave at the end of Year 2 are average. Children get off to an excellent start in the early years, and last year made outstanding progress. A focus on improving pupils' writing has been successful.

This can be seen in pupils' books where work is very neat and presented well. Lessons are lively, fun and interesting. Pupils concentrate well and listen carefully to teachers.

The classrooms are stimulating places for pupils who have easy access to a wide range of re...sources to help them learn successfully. Teaching assistants and the Pastoral Carer make a good contribution to many aspects of pupils' learning. The school has strong relationships with parents, who are extremely supportive and say that they are very pleased with the school and the progress their children are making.

Behaviour, safety and pupils' attitudes to learning are excellent. Pupils are considerate and polite. They are calm and quiet around school and settle down quickly to their work in lessons.

Attendance is rising and is already above average for this school year. The curriculum offers pupils a wide range of opportunities and experiences, such as gardening, learning new computer skills, sports activities and keeping fit, all of which enrich pupils' learning. The school shows a high level of care for pupils enabling them to get the most they can out of all the school offers.

Leaders check the progress of all pupils regularly to ensure that nobody falls behind. Governors are involved fully in the school's development and work closely with the headteacher to ensure that pupils' achievement and teaching continues to improve. They often visit the school to check how well it is doing.

It is not yet an outstanding school because : Teachers do not always plan work that challenges pupils enough, especially for the most able. Teachers' expectations are sometimes too low. Teachers' marking does not always help pupils understand how to improve their work and what they need to learn next.

Information about this school

Ellenborough and Ewanrigg Infant School is much smaller than the average-sized primary school. All pupils are of White British heritage. The proportion of pupils supported through school action is similar to the national average.

The proportion of pupils supported at school action plus or with a statement of special educational needs is above the national average. The proportion of disadvantaged pupils supported by the pupil premium is well above the national average. The pupil premium is additional government funding for those pupils who are known to be eligible for free school meals and those children who are looked after by the local authority.

Pupils are taught in four classes: Nursery, Reception, Year 1 and Year 2. The school offers a breakfast club and after-school club managed by the governing body. The school has achieved the Eco School Silver Award and the Sainsbury School Games Bronze Kite Mark.