Knighton Mead Primary Academy

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school The headteacher and senior leadership team have successfully raised the quality of teaching since the last inspection and have had a significant impact on lifting teachers' and pupils' expectations. Pupils' progress is accelerating so that they now now make good progress in all year groups.

Year 1 pupils reach above average standards in the national phonics (the link between sounds and letters) screening check. The quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good. Teachers consistently offer helpful feedback so that pupils know how to improve.

They share good practice to sharpen their own teaching skills. Children in the early years m...ake good progress and achieve well. Additional government funding for disadvantaged pupils is used very effectively.

The gaps between the achievement of disadvantaged pupils and their classmates have closed in all subjects. Subject leaders make weekly checks on teachers' plans and monitor how this helps pupils to make good progress. Pupils' personal development and welfare are good.

Pupils receive effective support and this helps them to grow in confidence and become responsible learners. Governors have improved and developed their skills. They are active in the school and frequently visit to listen to pupils' views.

Safety retains a high priority. It is not yet an outstanding school because : Pupils' attendance remains low and is well below national expectations. Pupils are not challenged to achieve as well as they could in all subjects, particularly, the most-able pupils.

Information about this school

The school is smaller than the average-sized primary school. Most pupils are of White British heritage and speak English as their first language. Several smaller groups come from a number of different ethnic backgrounds.

The proportion of pupils who are disadvantaged and supported through the pupil premium is twice that found nationally. The pupil premium is additional government funding to support pupils known to be eligible for free school meals and those who are in the care of the local authority. The proportion of pupils who have special educational needs or disability is above the national average.

The early years consists of children in the Nursery and Reception years who are taught in two classes. The Nursery children attend school part time, in the mornings only. More pupils than is seen nationally, leave and join the school at different times during the year.

The school runs a daily breakfast club which is overseen by the governing body. The school meets the government's current floor standards, which are the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress. Since the last inspection, there has been a high turnover of teaching staff.