Lavender Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Key findings

This is a good school which has made significant improvements since the last inspection and is well placed to improve further. The headteacher and the governing body lead the school exceptionally well and are very clear about the school's priorities for improvement.

They have tightly focused improvement plans in place for key areas which are rigorously monitored and actions taken are having a positive impact on improvement. Parents and carers are very supportive of the school; one parent summed up the views of many by saying, 'I feel very lucky that my children are pupils of Lavender Primary School. I am confident to leave them every school day, safe in the knowledge that they will be well taught and w...ell cared for.'

Achievement is good for all pupils. The school intervenes at an early stage to support pupils who are in danger of falling behind and its action to close any gaps in the achievement of different groups is proving successful. The progress of disabled pupils and those with special educational needs is good and parents and carers praised the school for the support provided for these children.

Phonics development (the sounds that letters make) and early reading are a strength of the school; this has supported improved achievement in the Early Years Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1. Teaching is good because of teachers' strong subject knowledge and their excellent relationships with pupils. Matching work to all learners' needs, opportunities for pupils to discuss their work and for teachers to develop questioning and a range of different activities are weaker aspects in some lessons.

Leaders have been highly effective in developing an atmosphere of mutual respect and cooperation between pupils so that pupils feel safe and behaviour is excellent. Pupils behave well in lessons, assemblies, moving around the school and playing together sensibly in the playground. They are very supportive of each other in lessons.

Information about the school

Lavender Primary School is a larger-than-average primary school with 482 pupils on roll. Almost half the pupils are of White British origin with a few from other White backgrounds. The proportion of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals is higher than that seen nationally.

The proportion of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities is much higher than that found nationally. There is a small minority of pupils whose first language is not English. The proportion of pupils who join or leave the school during the school year is higher than the national figure.

The school did not meet the government floor standards in 2009 but has met them for the last two years. There is a children's centre on site but this was not scheduled for inspection at this time. The school has received a number of awards including Healthy School Award, Inclusion Quality Mark and International School Award.