Lowton West Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school. All pupils, whatever their individual starting points, make good progress at this school and achieve well. Senior leaders effectively monitor the quality of teaching delivered across the school.

As a result teaching is good and on occasions it is outstanding. Teachers have high expectations of all pupils and work hard to ensure that lessons stimulate pupils' enthusiasm for learning. Pupils are very proud of their school and enjoy attending.

Pupils say that they feel safe and standards of behaviour around the school are good. The school council has a high profile in the school and is actively involved when key decisions are made. The rang...e of enrichment activities available to all pupils is a real strength of the school and contributes well to their learning and enjoyment.

The school is well led and managed by the headteacher, senior leaders and governing body. They are fully committed to continuous improvements and have high aspirations for all pupils. Parents are overwhelmingly supportive of all aspects of the school's work.

One parent commented, 'I would recommend Lowton West Primary as a fantastic school to any parent.' It is not yet an outstanding school because : There are, at times, inconsistencies in the teaching of letters and the sounds they make (phonics) at Key Stage 1. In Key Stage 2 teachers do not always ensure that the questions posed and activities provided in mathematics lessons challenge pupils, particularly the more-able pupils.

The intended outcomes, based on targets set by the school in the school development plan, are not sharply focused to show precisely how well the school is doing.

Information about this school

This school is larger than the average-sized primary school. The proportion of pupils known to be eligible for the pupil premium, which provides additional funding for pupils known to eligible for free school meals, those children in local authority care or from service families, is well below the national average.

The proportion of pupils with special educational needs supported at school action is below the national average. The proportion of pupils supported at school action plus or with a statement of special educational needs is similarly below the national average. Pupils are predominately of White British heritage.

The school exceeds the government's current floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress. Since the last inspection a new headteacher and Chair of the Governing body have been appointed. The school has gained the following awards: Artsmark Silver, Silver Eco-Schools, International School Award, and it has achieved Healthy School status.