Meir Heath Academy

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Key findings

This is a good school, in which pupils achieve well. Children make good progress in the Early Years Foundation Stage and start Year 1 with levels of attainment that are above average for their age.

While progress in reading is good, it is not as rapid as in other areas of learning. This is because children spend too much time learning phonics (how to link letters to the sounds they make) in class groups, which means, at times, some find the work too easy while others struggle because it is too hard. This is also the case in Years 1 and 2, where progress is good, but better in writing and mathematics than in reading.

Pupils in Years 3 to 6 make good progress and their attainment is rising. Disa...bled pupils and those who have special educational needs make good progress because of the effective academic support they receive. Teaching provides pupils with a wide range of rich and engaging experiences.

Relationships in lessons are very positive and pupils enjoy their learning. The typically rapid pace to learning slows occasionally when introductions last too long. Pupils' behaviour is good and they make a very positive contribution to the well-ordered school and the smooth flow of lessons.

Attendance was above average last year and has risen this year. Pupils have a good understanding of how to keep themselves safe. The headteacher's unrelenting drive to improve the school is shared enthusiastically by staff.

Leaders' robust checks on teaching and learning are used well to plan successful actions to overcome weaknesses. This means that the school is getting better quickly.

Information about the school

Meir Heath School is a larger than the average primary school.

The proportion of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals is well below the national average. There are lower proportions of disabled pupils and those who have special educational needs than found nationally. Nearly all pupils come from a White British background.

The rest of the school population is made up of small numbers from a wide range of different minority ethnic groups. The headteacher and deputy headteacher were both appointed in the last two years. The school meets current floor targets (the government's expected minimum standard for pupils' attainment).

The school has been awarded Science Mark. The onsite childcare facility, Kids Aloud, is managed privately. It is inspected and reported upon separately.

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