Leigh St John’s CofE Primary

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is an outstanding school The ambitious headteacher and deputy headteachers work skilfully with the governing body, to achieve the school's vision for pupils to 'learn today for a brighter tomorrow'. Senior and subject leaders work ably in and beyond their school. They have ensured that the infant school has made a seamless change to become a primary school.

Pupils' behaviour is exemplary. Pupils are polite and orderly. They relate very well to others and support each other's learning in the classroom.

Pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development (SMSC) enables them to thrive. Pupils discuss and debate their learning with great enthusiasm and ...understanding. Staff are thoughtful and reflective in the way that they teach.

Their determined action to develop their practice has been highly effective. Leaders ensure that the curriculum is broad, balanced, well structured and engaging for pupils. At the end of Year 2, pupils' attainment in reading, writing and mathematics is above the national average.

Pupils in key stage 2 make strong progress across subjects. The early years is led skilfully and very successfully. Children make excellent progress and are exceptionally well prepared for their move to Year 1.

Parents and carers are highly supportive of the work of leaders and teachers. Regular communication from the school regarding pupils' learning across the curriculum enables parents to understand the progress that their children make. Many pupils attend and benefit from a rich and varied range of extra-curricular activities.

When leaders design these activities, they consult pupils for their views. Pupils read very well. The proportion of pupils who attain the expected standard in phonics at the end of Year 1 is above the national average.

Leaders' and teachers' actions to improve the performance of boys are bringing about significant improvement. However, boys' outcomes are not as strong as for girls. The progress of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) does not match that of other pupils with the same starting points.

However, the difference is diminishing.

Information about this school

The school is smaller than the average-sized primary school. The school changed from being an infant school to a primary school in 2016.

Currently, the oldest pupils are in Year 5. The proportion of pupils eligible for the pupil premium funding is below average. The proportion of pupils with SEND is average.

The proportion of pupils with an education, health and care (EHC) plan is well below average. The proportion of pupils who speak English as an additional language is below average. The proportion of pupils who leave or join the school during the school year is below average.

The school runs a breakfast club and an after-school club. Leaders also offer a wide range of clubs which operate during the school day and after school. The school's most recent section 48 inspection for schools with a religious character took place in March 2019.