Hall Green Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school. From starting points well-below expectations for their age, pupils' attainment and achievement have improved well since the last inspection. Most are reaching the standards expected for their age in reading, writing and mathematics.

Teaching is good and sometimes better because teachers know their pupils well and adapt their learning to their particular needs. Teachers and pupils get on very well together. Children get off to a good start in the Nursery and Reception class, especially those with little experience of prior learning.

Pupils' behaviour is good in school and outside and they have enthusiastic and positive attitudes to learni...ng. Staff are very caring, and make sure that pupils are kept safe at all times. The headteacher leads the school effectively, and knows all the pupils well.

She is strongly supported by the deputy headteacher and a very highly motivated staff. The governing body is much improved, and has a good knowledge of the schools' strengths and priorities. They ensure that the pupil premium funding is spent to good effect.

The school has excellent relations with the parents and provides a number of facilities and activities to encourage their participation in their children's education. It is not yet an outstanding school because : Too few pupils reach above-average levels in reading, writing and mathematics both at the end of Year 2 and when they leave the school at the end of Year 6. Teachers' questioning is not consistently challenging and does not sufficiently encourage the development of pupils' thinking and speaking skills.

Whilst pupils develop their basic skills in numeracy and literacy well, they do not have enough opportunities to develop their independent learning skills.

Information about this school

Hall Green Primary School is larger than the average-sized primary school. The large majority of pupils are White British and about a third of pupils come from a range of other ethnic heritages.

A small but increasing number of pupils speak English as an additional language. More than a quarter of the pupils do not start at the school at the usual time of entry. The proportion of disabled pupils and those who have special educational needs is above average.

The proportion supported by school action or a statement of special educational needs is average. Well over half of the pupils are supported through the pupil premium. This is additional government funding for particular groups including children in the care of the local authority and pupils known to be eligible for free school meals.

The school meets the government's current floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for attainment and progress. The school is organised into 14 single-year classes and a Nursery. There have been some changes of staff since the last inspection 18 months ago.