Merton Park Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is an outstanding school. Achievement is outstanding. Pupils typically reach standards of attainment that are much higher than the national average by the end of each key stage.

The large majority of pupils exceed age- related expectations. There are very few gaps in the achievement of any groups of pupils in the school. Disadvantaged pupils, and those who are disabled or have special educational needs, receive excellent support and make good progress.

Leaders, including governors, are relentless in their ambition to make this school the best it can be. Consequently, it has improved significantly since the last inspection, and it continues to do so. The c...urriculum is outstanding.

Pupils have many opportunities to learn about their subjects in interesting ways. They experience a range of rich and varied visits and outdoor activities that help to bring their learning to life. Teaching is outstanding.

Teachers are highly professional. They assiduously plan lessons that will inspire pupils and give them memorable learning opportunities. As a result, pupils love coming to school and make excellent progress.

Pupils' communication skills are excellent. They are highly articulate, confident speakers with a rich vocabulary. Their skills are shaped by the wealth of books and other reading opportunities they have in school.

The behaviour of pupils is outstanding. Pupils have excellent attitudes to learning. They work hard at all times and persevere with tasks that are frequently challenging.

The warm, mutually supportive relationships that staff and pupils have with each other make this a very caring, nurturing school. Staff morale is high and pupils describe their school as 'one big family'. The school's work to keep pupils safe is outstanding.

Attendance is consistently above the national average. Pupils know their rights and responsibilities towards each other. They report that there is very little bullying at the school.

Parents overwhelmingly support the school and would recommend it to others. Provision in the early years is outstanding. Children make rapid and sustained progress due to excellent teaching and imaginative activities.

They are very well prepared for starting school in Year 1.

Information about this school

Merton Park is an average-sized primary school which aims to 'help our children be happy and responsible citizens of the global community'. The proportion of pupils known to be disadvantaged and entitled to receive pupil premium funding is well below average.

Pupil premium is extra government funding given to schools to help support the achievement of pupils who have been, or are, entitled to free school meals, or who are looked after by the local authority. The proportion of pupils who are disabled or have special educational needs is also below the national average. The proportion of pupils who are from minority ethnic groups is well above average, at about half of the school's population.

Most of these are from Other White, Asian or mixed ethnic backgrounds. A higher than average proportion speak English as an additional language. Children in Nursery attend part time either in the morning or in the afternoon.

Children in Reception attend full time. In 2014, the school met the government's floor standards. These are the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress in reading, writing and mathematics by the end of Year 6.