Hotspur Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school. From starting points that are sometimes well below those typical for their age, pupils make good progress to reach standards at the end of Year 6, which are in line with the national average in reading and mathematics.

Pupils who are known to be eligible for free school meals and as such receive additional support, reach standards in line with the national average in reading, writing and mathematics. Teaching is good. Teachers have good subject knowledge, ask stimulating questions and act quickly to tackle any misunderstandings.

Pupils acquire knowledge of letters and the sounds they make very quickly because of daily teaching by highly ...trained staff. The school offers a wide range of care and support to vulnerable pupils. Pupils feel safe in school and their behaviour is good.

The broad and balanced curriculum, which has always celebrated creativity and the performing arts, has recently been enriched further by increased opportunities in sports. Leaders at all levels, including the governing body, have a clear understanding of the school's strengths and areas for development. The Hotspur Achievement Team works tirelessly to improve the standards and progress of the pupils in school.

It is not yet an outstanding school because : Recently, the standards reached by girls have been lower than those reached by boys in reading, writing and mathematics at the end of Key Stage 2. The pupils do not have their home reading books changed regularly enough and the most able pupils in Key Stage 2 do not read books with sufficient challenge. Marking does not always tell the pupils how to improve their work and, when it does, pupils rarely have the opportunity to act quickly upon the advice given.

The school's systems for measuring how well children in the Early Years Foundation Stage are doing have been very varied and have provided unreliable information.

Information about this school

This is a much larger than average primary school. The proportion of pupils eligible for the pupil premium is larger than average.

The pupil premium is additional funding for those pupils who are known to be eligible for free school meals, children from service families and those children who are looked after by the local authority. The proportion of pupils from minority ethnic groups and for whom English is spoken as an additional language is below average. The proportion of disabled pupils and those who have special educational needs who are supported through school action is above average.

The proportion of disabled pupils and those who have special educational needs who are supported through school action plus or with a statement of special educational needs is below average. The school meets the government's current floor standards, which are the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress. The school manages a breakfast club, an after-school club and a holiday club.