Monksdown Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school. Pupils make good progress from their individual starting points. By the time they leave school many attain the level expected in reading, writing and mathematics.

Teaching is effective and pupils enjoy learning. A wide variety of activities sustain their enthusiasm and they try hard to complete their tasks. Pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is promoted most effectively.

A respect for each other is evident throughout the school. Behaviour is often exemplary and it is a delight to see how well the pupils play together and applaud the efforts of each other. Staff look after the pupils very well.

Pupils say t...hey feel safe and know how to recognise dangers. Parents are very pleased about the education their children receive. The school is held in high esteem by the local community.

The headteacher and deputy headteacher are a strong management team. They lead by example showing great determination to provide the best for the pupils in the school. Regular checks are made on pupils' progress and the quality of teaching and this leads to improvements in learning.

This has a positive impact on progress and ensures the school is improving. It is not yet an outstanding school because : Sometimes activities do not ensure that the most able pupils make their best possible progress. Teachers do not always adjust tasks to help pupils while they work.

Pupils do not consistently spell correctly or enliven their writing with imaginative vocabulary. Governors do not always have enough information about pupils' attainment and achievement to enable them to ask challenging questions about the progress of pupils of differing needs and abilities.

Information about this school

This school is larger than the average-sized primary school.

The proportion of pupils at school action is below average. The proportion supported at school action plus or with a statement of special educational needs is below average. The proportion of pupils who are disadvantaged and eligible for the pupil premium is well-above average.

The pupil premium is additional funding for those who are known to be eligible for free school meals and those children who are looked after by the local authority. The proportion of pupils from minority ethnic groups is below average. Few pupils speak English as an additional language although this is rising with an increase of pupils from Eastern European countries.

The school meets the government's current floor standard, which is the minimum expectation for pupils' attainment and progress. Since the previous inspection the school has had many staffing changes including a new headteacher. Currently, building work is taking place to improve the playgrounds.