Higher Lane Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school. Pupils' achievement is good because current pupils are now making good progress from their different starting points in reading, writing and mathematics.

Standards in reading, writing and mathematics vary over time but are showing an improvement across the school because teaching is now good. Well-planned provision means that children in the early years settle quickly into school life and make good progress in the Reception unit. Teachers and well-trained teaching assistants provide well-targeted support to ensure that disabled pupils and those who have special educational needs, disadvantaged pupils, minority ethnic pupils and those pupils in th...e early stages of learning English now make good progress.

Pupils' behaviour is exemplary, both in and out of lessons. They are very proud of their school and show excellent attitudes to learning. Pupils say they feel extremely safe in school; the older pupils take their responsibilities very seriously and support younger pupils in a mature manner.

The school has improved rapidly since the appointment of the new headteacher because she has inspired the senior leadership team. Together they have improved pupils' achievement, the quality of teaching and behaviour and safety. The curriculum makes a strong contribution to pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development.

Pupils have a strong sense of right and wrong and are prepared well for life in modern Britain. Teachers accurately assess how well pupils are doing and their effective marking in English and mathematics enhances pupils' learning. The governors provide effective support and challenge, ask pertinent questions and work closely with the senior leadership team.

Governors have supported the headteacher in raising the quality of teaching and pupils' achievement. It is not yet an outstanding school because : The most able pupils are not always challenged sufficiently and given hard enough work to enable them to reach the highest standards and to make the best possible progress. Attainment in writing is not as high as that in reading and mathematics.

The gap in attainment between disadvantaged pupils and other pupils within school and all pupils nationally is beginning to close, but it needs to close further. The new strategies that have recently been put in place to improve the quality of teaching are yet to be fully embedded or reflected fully in pupils' achievement over time.

Information about this school

The school is much larger than the average-sized primary school.

The proportion of disadvantaged pupils supported by the pupil premium, which is additional funding for pupils known to be eligible for free school meals, or who are looked after by the local authority, is below average. The proportion of pupils from minority ethnic groups is below average, as is the proportion who speak English as an additional language. The proportion of disabled pupils and those who have special educational needs is below average.

Since the previous inspection, the school has had two part-time acting headteachers followed by the present headteacher's appointment in January 2014. The school meets the government's current floor standards, which set out the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress in reading, writing and mathematics. The before- and after-school club is managed by the governing body.