Marlcliffe Community Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school. The headteacher and senior leaders provide good direction for the school and are driving improvements at a fast pace.

The governors and school leaders know the school's strengths and effectively tackle weaknesses in the quality of teaching and pupils' achievement. The school has improved considerably since the time of the last inspection and leaders are determined this improvement should continue. Pupils' positive attitudes in lessons contribute to their good learning and this prepares them well for the next stage of their education.

Pupils take pride in their work. Their handwriting is legible and they present their work attractively. P...upils behave well in lessons and around school, and they are respectful and polite.

Pupils feel safe and well cared for by staff. The school provides the pupils from Reception to Year 6 with a rich, nurturing school environment in which to develop as British citizens. Provision in the early years is good, with children making good progress in all areas.

In Key Stages 1 and 2, teaching is good and sometimes outstanding, so that pupils in both key stages make good progress. Pupils in Key Stage 2 have some catching up to do with their learning, but they are now making rapid progress. Pupils' attainment at the end of Year 2 is above average.

Currently in Year 6, pupils are working at an above average higher level in reading and mathematics. Disadvantaged pupils are now making much better progress than they have made prior to this year. Teaching and learning is usually well-planned to meet the needs of all pupils.

It is not yet an outstanding school because : While improving at a much faster rate than previously, progress over time is slower in Key Stage 2 than in Key Stage 1. Attainment in writing is still not as high as it should be for pupils in Key Stage 2. Children in the early years do not always have opportunities to learn and develop their skills in all areas of learning outside.

Information about this school

The school is much larger than the average-sized primary school. The proportion of pupils known to be eligible for the pupil premium (additional government funding for pupils known to be eligible for free school meals or children who are looked after by the local authority) is lower than the national average. The proportion of disabled pupils and those who have special educational needs is average.

The majority of pupils are of White British heritage. The proportion of pupils who speak English as an additional language is below the national average. The school meets the government's current floor standards, which are the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress.

The school provides a daily breakfast- and after-school club for the pupils. Children in the Reception classes attend full time. The school receives support from the headteacher of Oughtibridge Primary School, a National Leader of Education.