Livingstone Road Infant School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school. Pupils achieve well and their good progress ensures that attainment in reading, writing and mathematics is above average by the time they leave. Reception children get off to an excellent start.

The very large majority reach the levels expected for this age and an increasing number exceed them. Pupils are well taught. Lesson activities are practical and fun so pupils enjoy learning.

Behaviour is good and pupils work and play well together and feel safe at school. In lessons these strengths effectively support their learning. The headteacher is a very skilled leader who expects teaching to be good and is very effective at helping staff to... achieve this.

Other leaders support the school well. The analysis of pupils' progress is very good and, together with comprehensive monitoring of teaching, ensures weaker areas are speedily and successfully addressed. The school is well placed to improve further.

Governors provide good support and challenge. They are well informed about pupils' progress and teaching quality, including through their own monitoring visits. It is not yet an outstanding school because: Attainment in reading has varied over the past three years.

The proportion of lower-attaining pupils reaching average levels has risen more slowly in reading than in writing and mathematics. Teaching and learning in Years 1 and 2 are not yet outstanding.

Information about this school

Sylvan is a larger than average size infant school with up to five classes in each year group.

It changed to an infant school in September 2013 when it no longer admitted pupils to Year 3. The proportion of pupils with special educational needs supported by school action is low, although the proportion supported by school action plus or a statement of special educational needs is well above the national average. The proportion of pupils from minority ethnic groups, including those who speak English as an additional language, is below average.

The proportion of pupils known to be eligible for the pupil premium, which provides funding for children in local authority care, children from service families and pupils known to be eligible for free school meals, is above average. The school provides a breakfast club and some after-school activities run by private providers, which were not inspected by this inspection team. The headteacher and senior leaders provide support to other local schools and a teacher training provider.