Montgomery Primary Academy

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school. The principal provides strong leadership. The systems used by leaders and staff to check pupils' progress and teachers' performance are robust.

The Management Board (governing body) is effective and has succeeded in recruiting competent leaders and good teachers. The leadership team and staff have done a great deal to raise standards and demonstrate good capacity to secure further improvement. Teaching is effective and continues to improve.

The vast majority of pupils make good progress in all classes. Children throughout the Early Years Foundation Stage get off to a good start in early literacy and mathematics. This is built upon in Yea...rs 1 and 2 and continues through Years 3 to 6.

As a result, standards are broadly in line with the national average in reading, writing and mathematics and are rising quickly and securely. Disabled pupils and those who have special educational needs are supported very well and make good progress. The funding for pupils eligible for the pupil premium is being used effectively to support their learning.

These pupils achieve as well as others across the academy. Pupils in the early stages of learning English make good progress and are given effective support in lessons and at other times. Pupils are courteous, respectful of others and are well behaved.

They are energised by the range of subjects and topics they study and enjoy the many activities and visits provided by the academy. Pupils feel safe and secure. There are positive and trusting relationships between pupils and staff.

Teachers and support staff make sure that pupils are kept safe and are committed to pupils' care and well-being. The academy makes a very good contribution to pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. Pupils are taught to respect the views and beliefs of others which prepares them for the next stage of their education and for life in modern Britain.

It is not yet an outstanding school because : In a few lessons, teachers and support staff do not always plan activities or question pupils to extend their understanding, or check that pupils fully understand the next steps in their learning. Although standards in reading are improving well, pupils in Years 3 to 6 are not encouraged sufficiently to read widely or often enough to extend their vocabulary further. Fewer pupils reach the higher levels in mathematics than they do in English.

Information about this school

The academy is much larger than most primary schools. The Early Years Foundation Stage comprises a Nursery class for three-year-old children who attend either part-time or full time, and three Reception classes for four-year-olds who all attend full time. The vast majority of pupils, a much higher proportion than average, are of Pakistani or Bangladeshi heritage.

Other pupils come from a range of backgrounds; the largest groups are represented by pupils of African heritage. Nearly all pupils speak English as an additional language, a much higher proportion than average, although only 7% of pupils are in the very early stages of learning to speak, read and write in English. The proportion of disadvantaged pupils eligible for the pupil premium (additional government funding to support pupils known to be eligible for free school meals and looked after children) is well above average.

The proportion of pupils receiving special educational needs support is above average. The percentage of pupils with a statement of educational needs or an education and health care plan is also above the national average. The academy meets the government's current floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress in reading, writing and mathematics.

There have been significant staff changes in the last two years since the school became a sponsor-led academy. One of two Vice Principals joined in January 2014 and five newly qualified teachers joined the academy at the start of September 2014. The academy is part of a group of primary schools known as the Midlands Academies Enterprise Trust Primary Cluster.