Highfield Academy

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school.

The rate of progress that pupils make has increased significantly, especially in mathematics. The gap between the achievement of those who are known to be eligible for pupil-premium funding and other pupils has been reduced significantly by the time they leave Key Stage 2. Pupils in the specialist language unit make good progress because of the opportunities they get to receive help.

Teaching is good because lessons are well planned and the work pupils are given is well suited to their abilities and is demanding. Pupils know what targets they are trying to achieve in lessons, which helps them to improve their work. The vast majority of p...upils behave very well in the classroom and when moving around the school.

Pupils say they feel very safe. The headteacher has been an important factor in improving the school: pupils progress at a faster rate and teaching is now good. He has helped to develop a good leadership team so that the school is well placed to improve.

It is not yet an outstanding school because : Not enough lessons were seen which were judged to be outstanding. Pupils' writing skills are lower than those in reading or mathematics. Too much time is spent in some lessons by teachers on their introductions, leaving little time for pupils to demonstrate what they can do.

Pupils are not given enough time to respond to teachers' written comments in their books so that they can learn from their mistakes. The overall attendance of pupils is low.

Information about this school

Highfield is a larger than average-sized primary school.

The proportion of pupils known to be eligible for the pupil premium, which provides additional funding for children in the care of the local authority, children of service families, and pupils known to be eligible for free school meals, is well above average. The proportion of pupils supported through school action is above average, but the proportion at school action plus, or with a statement of special educational needs, is below average. Most pupils are of White British heritage.

There is a specialist resource base in the school for pupils who have difficulties with speech and language. Pupils from across Sunderland access the unit from Monday to Thursday, returning to their local school on Friday. There is a separate, private, day-care centre attached to the school.

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