Kelbrook Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school. Kelbrook is at the heart of the local community and highly valued by pupils, their families and staff.

In the Early Years Foundation Stage pupils get off to a good start. They continue to make good progress throughout their time at school. Weaknesses arising since the previous inspection have been successfully tackled by the headteacher and governors.

As a result, the school is rapidly improving. Results in the Year 6 tests in 2013 show an improvement compared to the previous year when standards dipped. A greater proportion than the national average achieves the higher levels in English and mathematics.

The teaching of reading i...s very effective. By the time pupils leave in Year 6 they are very competent readers and well prepared for the next stage of education. Overall, teaching is good.

Pupils are keen to learn and enjoy the wide range of activities in lessons both in class and outdoors. Pupils have a good attitude towards each other and the adults around them. They say they feel happy, safe and secure.

Teachers, teaching assistants and volunteers work well as a team to provide good guidance and advice to help pupils with ways to improve their learning. All staff are dedicated to pupils' personal development alongside their academic achievement. The headteacher has a clear view of how successful the school can be and expects the best from pupils and staff.

Leaders and managers have secure policies and systems which ensure the continual improvement in the quality of teaching and pupils' achievement. The governing body, together with senior leaders is focused on raising the quality of teaching even further, and provides both support and challenge. It is not yet an outstanding school because : There is not yet enough outstanding teaching.

The opportunities for staff to observe outstanding practice in other schools are not yet fully developed. Pupils do not always have enough time in lessons to respond to teachers' marking.

Information about this school

This is a smaller than average-sized primary school.

The proportion of pupils supported through school action is below average. The proportion of pupils supported at school action plus or with a statement of special educational needs is higher than average. The proportion of pupils known to be eligible for support through the pupil premium is lower than that found nationally.

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. The number of pupils from minority ethnic groups is well below the national average. Pupils are mainly taught in four mixed-age classes.

For mathematics, pupils are taught in ability groups. The school works in partnership with The Hendon Brook Short Stay School to provide for the needs of pupils with a range of vulnerabilities. Since the previous inspection a new deputy headteacher has been appointed.

There has been unavoidable turbulence in staffing since the previous inspection. Since the previous inspection the school has gained the Eco Bronze Award and Race Equality Mark. The school meets the government's current floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress in English and mathematics.