Merlin Top Primary Academy

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is an outstanding school Leaders have created a culture of high expectations in which 'good' is never good enough. There is a 'no excuses' climate.

Morale and motivation across the staff are high as a result of leaders' vision and actions and the very positive ethos that has been created. Teachers' expectations of what pupils can achieve are high. Teachers challenge pupils to excel virtually all of the time.

They skilfully ensure that all have grasped the learning before moving on. Pupils' personal development and welfare is a strength of the school. A rich and deep curriculum provides pupils with ample opportunities to nurture their emotional and physica...l well-being.

Pupils' standards of behaviour are very high. They respond positively to staff requests and behave considerately towards one another. Pupils' rates of attendance are above the national average compared with similar schools.

Pupils' progress and attainment in a range of subjects and in both key stage 1 and 2 are very strong. Pupils' progress in writing, in particular, is improving substantially. Pupils currently in the school, including those who are disadvantaged and those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are making substantial gains in their learning from their mostly below-typical starting points.

The quality of provision in the early years foundation stage (EYFS) is very strong. Teaching is very effective, with skilful questions used almost all of the time to consolidate and extend children's learning. Children's progress across the EYFS curriculum is substantial.

Information about this school

Merlin Top Primary Academy is part of the Northern Education Trust multi-academy trust, which it joined on 1 April 2013. Responsibility for governance of the school rests with the board of trustees, which delegates some authority to an academy council. The school's pupils are of a largely White British heritage, with a smaller proportion of pupils who have a British Asian–Pakistani heritage.

The school serves an economically disadvantaged area. The number of pupils who are entitled to the pupil premium funding is well above the national average. The proportion of pupils who receive support for their special educational needs is well above the national average.

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