Finchale Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school. The headteacher has created a strong, cohesive team that ensures all pupils are carefully supported in line with the school's motto, 'we see the magic in every child and help make them sparkle'.

Governors are very knowledgeable and well informed. They visit school regularly to monitor and assist staff. Governors work well with senior leaders and effectively support and challenge them to improve teaching and achievement.

Teaching is consistently good. Teachers prepare exciting activities that ignite pupils' imagination so that they want to learn. Pupils achieve well and overall progress is good.

This is particularly true for the ...most able and those with special educational needs. By the time pupils leave school attainment is above average in reading and writing and well above average in mathematics. In the early years, children make a good start to their learning and when they begin Year 1, they are well prepared for the next stage of their education.

Behaviour in classrooms is consistently good with excellent co-operation promoted by the high expectations of staff. Pupils' conduct around school is impeccable. Pupils say they know how to keep themselves safe in many different situations.

They explain that misbehaviour and bullying are very rare. All pupils thrive in a welcoming, exciting and caring environment so that they quickly become confident learners who are proud of their school. They enjoy a varied curriculum that offers wide opportunities for spiritual, moral, social and cultural development.

It is not yet an outstanding school because : In reading and writing, some middle ability pupils do not always make the progress necessary to ensure they achieve as highly as they can. In the early years, opportunities to learn in the outside areas are still developing and are not used as effectively as those indoors.

Information about this school

Finchale Primary School is a smaller than average sized primary school with an increasing number of pupils on roll since the last inspection.

A large majority of pupils are of White British heritage. A very small minority speak English as an additional language. The proportion of pupils with a disability or who have special educational needs is well above average.

The proportion of pupils who are disadvantaged and eligible for the pupil premium is well below average. The pupil premium is additional funding for those who are known to be eligible for free school meals and those children who are looked after by the local authority. The school meets the government's current floor standard, which is the minimum expectation for pupils' attainment and progress in English and mathematics.

There is one Reception class in the early years provision and children attend on a full time basis. Two new middle leaders have recently been appointed and are very new to the school. The school has many awards for excellence, including Artsmark Gold, School Games Gold Award and Primary Science Quality Mark (Silver).

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