Lime Tree Primary Academy

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is an outstanding school. From well-below average starting points when they start school, pupils reach above average standards in English and mathematics by the end of Year 6.

Teaching and learning are outstanding and consequently, all groups of pupils make outstanding progress in reading, writing and mathematics. The curriculum is rich and exciting and gives pupils many opportunities to work on investigative, practical activities. Pupils work very well cooperating in small groups but do not always present their written group work to the same high standard as in their individual books.

Lessons are exciting and there are many visitors to school and educati...onal visits out of school which pupils say they enjoy. Pupils take part in lots of activities which involve reading and, as a result, they enjoy reading and acquire good comprehension skills. The school grounds are used to support pupils' learning, but the outdoor environment has limited resources and this restricts how well it can be used to enhance pupils' learning in Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2.

A wide range of extra-curricular activities makes a superb contribution to the development of pupils' excellent social, artistic and sporting skills. Pupils' above average attendance reflects their enjoyment of school. Pupils consistently behave exceptionally well, showing a high level of respect for each other and for adults.

Teachers and teaching assistants regularly receive very effective training and this ensures that the high quality of teaching is maintained. The headteacher is uncompromising in his determination to give pupils the best education possible and he is exceptionally well supported by very effective senior leaders and the governing body. All leaders are highly effective and this has been central to the school building upon, and improving, its performance since the last inspection.

The governing body carries out regular checks to make sure that the quality of teaching is outstanding and to ensure that every group of pupils makes excellent progress including those in receipt of the pupil premium, pupils who speak English as an additional language, disabled pupils and those who have special educational needs.

Information about this school

This is a larger than average-sized primary school. A large majority of pupils are of White British heritage.

About a fifth of pupils are from minority ethnic groups and about a tenth of all pupils speak English as an additional language. An above average proportion is known to be eligible for the pupil premium which provides additional funding for children in local authority care and pupils known to be eligible for free school meals. The proportion of pupils identified with special educational needs supported through school action is broadly average.

The proportion of pupils supported at school action plus or with a statement of special educational needs is above average. The school meets the government's current floor standard, which set the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress. There is a separately managed children's centre on the same site as the school which was not part of this inspection.

The centre's inspection report is available on the Ofsted website. The headteacher is a National Leader of Education and the school is a National Support School designated by the National College. Support is regularly given to other schools by the headteacher and by other school staff.

Also at this postcode