Mickleton Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school Determined and resolute leadership by the new headteacher has been crucial in moving this school from satisfactory to good in a relatively short space of time. There is a strong sense of community in the school. Pupils' behaviour and attitudes to learning are outstanding.

They feel very safe and respect the staff, themselves and each other. The governing body has also improved and is much more involved in supporting and challenging the school. Together with the headteacher, they have successfully moved from having a deficit to a surplus budget and hence more money available to spend on the pupils.

Teaching is now consistently good and occ...asionally outstanding. Consequently, all groups of pupils achieve well in their academic and personal development in all year groups. Standards have risen and by Year 6, pupils' attainment in English and mathematics is above average.

Children in the Early Years Foundation Stage settle quickly and make good progress because : staff are skilled at ensuring they are happy and well cared for and they enjoy a perfect balance of work and play activities. Virtually all parents and carers are proud that their children come to this school and fully trust that the changes and decisions that are made are in the interests of their children. The pupils are also very proud of their school.

It is not yet an outstanding school because : Not enough teaching is outstanding. Although staff are good subject leaders, a senior leadership team needs to be developed to support the headteacher with school improvement.

Information about this school

This is a smaller than average-sized primary school set in a rural village.

Children in the Early Years Foundation Stage are taught in the Nursery and Reception classes. Older pupils are taught in three mixed age-group classes: a Year 1 and Year 2 class; a Year 3 and Year 4 class; and a Year 5 and Year 6 class. The vast majority of pupils (96%) come from White British backgrounds.

The proportion of pupils known to be eligible for the pupil premium, which provides additional funding for children in local authority care and pupils known to be eligible for free school meals, is well below the national average. The proportion of pupils who have special educational needs supported at school action, school action plus or with statements of special educational needs is similar to the national average. These needs include moderate learning and speech and language difficulties.

The school has exceeded the government's current floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress, over the last four years. Since the previous inspection, the school has had a new headteacher and three new teachers and there has been a complete reorganisation of staffing. The number of pupils has risen from 86 in 2009 to -105 in 2012.