Heelands School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school. Effective leadership and management ensure that pupils make consistently good progress across the school. Consequently, from their starting points, pupils achieve well in reading, writing and mathematics by the end of Year 2.

Leaders and governors maintain regular checks on how well the school is performing. As a result, they are in a good position to secure further improvements in teaching and pupils' achievement. Children in the Reception Year achieve well, due to a well-planned and well-taught range of motivating activities.

Pupils are eager to learn and their behaviour is good, which helps them to do well in lessons. They relate well... with each other and feel safe at school. Good teaching contributes effectively to pupils' strong progress over time.

Teachers and the additional adults are adept in keeping pupils engaged with their learning. The range of taught subjects and activities takes into account the new National Curriculum. It contributes fully to pupils' achievement in their basic skills and enriches their learning.

The contribution made by subject and other leaders is stronger than at the time of the previous inspection. They lead with enthusiasm and to good effect. Parents feel that the school works well with them and that it greatly benefits their children.

It is not yet an outstanding school because : The checks made by teachers on pupils' progress in lessons are not always sharp enough to help all pupils to achieve their best. Insufficient attention is paid to developing pupils' spoken language so that they express themselves clearly. Pupils do not always punctuate their written work correctly.

Information about this school

The school is much smaller than the average-sized primary school. Nearly two thirds of pupils are from White British backgrounds. The rest come from a wide range of minority ethnic groups.

The proportion of those speaking English as an additional language is above average. The proportion of disabled pupils and those who have special educational needs supported through school action is below average. The proportion who are supported by school action plus, or have a statement of special educational needs is above average.

The proportion of pupils supported by the pupil premium is above average. This is extra funding provided by the government to support pupils who are known to be or have been eligible for free school meals. There is full-time provision for children of Reception age.