Marsden Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school. The school has improved since its last inspection because the headteacher has skilfully led and guided the hardworking and aspirational staff, raising the achievement of pupils.

Both the local authority and the governing body have supported the headteacher and the school well. Pupils are now making good progress, from their individual starting points, across the school. Improved progress is particularly evident in mathematics, and pupils' writing skills have also improved.

Pupils have in the past made better progress in reading than in other aspects of literacy. Due to high quality leadership and the dedication of all staff, children get... off to a flying start in the Early Years Foundation Stage. Gaps in the achievement of pupils supported through the pupil premium and all pupils in school closed in 2013.

The quality of teaching has improved because : teachers are held to account much more rigorously for the progress their pupils make. In addition, the quality of training teachers receive while at the school has improved significantly. Teachers and teaching assistants work well as a team to share good practice and learn from each other.

The care and support provided by staff at the school is of the highest quality. Pupils feel safe and their parents agree they are safe. The school works very well with other agencies to ensure all pupils are well cared for, healthy and ready to learn.

The safeguarding and care of pupils is an outstanding feature of the school. Children are taught how to behave well from their first days in Nursery. All pupils move around the school calmly and show care for one another.

Even the youngest pupils behave and socialise very well while eating their lunches. Pupils are confident and polite. It is not yet an outstanding school because : Although the progress that the most able pupils make is improving, it is not quite as strong as other ability groups.

Similarly, pupils' writing skills are not yet consistently strong. The progress pupils make in Year 1 is not as good as in other year groups. There is still some teaching that requires improvement.

Information about this school

Marsden is an average-sized primary school. The proportion of pupils supported by the pupil premium is above the national average. The pupil premium is additional government funding for those pupils who are known to be eligible for free school meals, children from service families, and those children that are looked after by the local authority.

Almost all pupils are of White British heritage. The proportion of disabled pupils and those who have special educational needs and supported at school action is above average. The proportion of pupils assessed at school action plus and those with a statement of special educational needs, is significantly higher than average.

Currently one teacher is on maternity leave and another is on long-term sick leave. During the inspection, one teacher was on short-term sick leave. The school meets the government's current floor standards, which are the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress.