Glemsford Primary Academy

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school The well-respected headteacher has established high standards; his passion and enthusiasm are shared by all staff. Leaders, governors and trustees identify precisely how the school can improve further.

They have effectively established a good quality of education at Glemsford Primary Academy. Pupils' personal development and welfare is outstanding. Pupils are safe, say they feel safe and have an excellent understanding of how to keep themselves and others safe.

Pupils behave very well both in the classroom and at playtime and lunchtime. They have positive attitudes to learning and in almost all lessons are motivated to work hard and do we...ll. In 2017, the proportion of key stage 2 pupils achieving the expected standard in reading, writing and mathematics combined rose sharply and was above average.

Pupils do especially well in reading. In 2017, pupils' achievement in the key stage 1 and key stage 2 statutory assessments was well above average. In most lessons, teachers plan work which is matched well to pupils' needs and deploy teaching assistants effectively to support and promote pupils' learning.

Teachers make skilful use of questioning in lessons to tackle pupils' misconceptions and guide them to improve their work. As a result of teachers' accurate assessment and precise planning, children's needs are well met in the early years. Progress is good and at times rapid from their starting points.

Teachers do not routinely guide Reception children, in particular boys, to develop their skills in writing. Leaders track pupils' progress and attainment closely in reading, writing, mathematics and, most recently, science. This is not yet the case for other subjects.

Teachers do not provide consistently good opportunities for pupils to practise and develop their high-level writing skills. Presentation, standards of handwriting and writing composition in some subjects are not as high as in pupils' English books.

Information about this school

Glemsford Primary Academy converted to become an academy school in January 2015.

The school is now part of Samuel Ward Multi-Academy Trust. The school has its own local governing body which includes a representative from the trust. The school also works in collaboration with the trust's school support team.

When its predecessor school, Glemsford Community Primary School, was last inspected by Ofsted it was graded inadequate. There have been changes to staffing since converting to an academy, including the restructuring of the senior leadership team and the appointment of a new headteacher. The school is slightly smaller than the averaged-sized primary school.

The Nursery provision provides education for two- to four-year olds. Children attend the Nursery in a combination of part-time or full-time sessions across either a morning and/or afternoon. As part of the school's wider provision, two breakfast clubs are run every morning, one for Nursery-aged children.

Pupils and children also have the opportunity to attend a variety of after-school clubs. Almost all the pupils come from White British backgrounds. The proportion of girls is higher than the national average.

A much lower proportion of children than nationally speak English as an additional language. The proportion of children who have SEN and/or disabilities and those who have a statement of special educational needs or education, health and care plan is below the national average. The proportion of children for whom the school receives the pupil premium funding is broadly in line with the national average.

The school meets the government's current floor standards, which are the minimum levels expected for pupils' attainment and progress. The school meets requirements on the publication of specified information on its website. The school complies with Department for Education guidance on what academies should publish.