Merridale Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school.

Pupils make good progress through each part of the school and leave Year 6 with standards that are similar to pupils nationally. Children make good progress in the Early Years Foundation Stage as a result of good teaching and an improved learning environment. Almost all the pupils who left Year 6 in 2013 made or exceeded the progress expected of them.

Teaching is good overall with some that is outstanding. Teachers use questions well to check understanding. Pupils who speak English as an additional language are supported very well and reach standards that are higher than other pupils in the school by the time they leave the school.
<...br/>Pupils' behaviour is outstanding. Pupils are enthusiastic learners and support each other to do their best. They are proud of their school and take care of their environment.

The school does an outstanding job of keeping its pupils safe. Bullying is almost unheard of and pupils are taught how to recognise risky situations and how to keep themselves safe. The headteacher and his senior team provide strong and determined leadership that is based in an accurate understanding of what the school does well and what it needs to improve.

They work effectively with all staff to improve teaching and learning. The governing body challenges school leaders very effectively and ensure that the improvement of teaching and learning is at the centre of its activities. It is not yet an outstanding school because : Teachers do not always provide feedback on pupils' work which is precise and helps them to improve.

Teachers do not always check that advice they give in their marking is followed up by pupils and that they complete the additional tasks set. The level of challenge for pupils, particularly the most able, is not always high enough for them to make the best progress possible.

Information about this school

The school is an average -sized primary school.

The proportion of pupils eligible for support through the pupil premium is above the national average. This additional government funding is to help pupils what known to be eligible for free school meals, looked after by the local authority or from service families. The proportion of disabled pupils and those who have special educational needs supported through school action is above average, as is the proportion supported at school action plus or through a statement of special educational needs.

About three quarters of the pupils come from minority ethnic backgrounds. The proportion of pupils who speak English as an additional language is well above the national average. The school meets the government's current floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress in English and mathematics.