Nelson Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school. Leadership and management are good. Since the previous inspection, school leaders and governors have successfully improved the overall effectiveness of the school so that it is now good.

Pupils, including those in specially resourced provision, achieve well. From their starting points they make good progress. In national assessments at the end of Year 6 in 2014, pupils reached average standards.

Pupils made particularly rapid progress in writing and mathematics. Leaders, managers and governors have made sure that teaching is good. Well-selected training for staff and regular checks on teaching quality have been effective in securing bett...er teaching.

Changes to the way mathematics is taught help pupils learn basic mathematics skills quickly. Teaching of phonics (the sounds letters make) promotes pupils' early reading skills well. A very wide range of after-school clubs as well as outings and visitors to the school support pupils' personal development and enjoyment of school.

Leaders have maintained pupils' positive attitudes to learning and good behaviour. Pupils' attendance rates have risen and are above average. Pupils have a good understanding of how to keep themselves safe.

They feel safe in school and are confident that the staff will help them quickly should any problems occur. Children achieve well in the good early years provision. Staff plan interesting activities for the children in the inside and outdoor areas.

Members of the governing body are well informed about the school's work. They challenge the school's leaders about the school's performance. It is not yet an outstanding school because: Daily reading and improvements to the teaching of reading for older pupils have not been as successful in raising achievement in reading by the end of Year 6.

The most able pupils are not always given hard enough work to help them reach the highest standards.

Information about this school

The school is much larger than the average-size primary school. The proportion of pupils from minority ethnic backgrounds is above average.

The proportion speaking English as an additional language is above average. The proportion of disabled pupils and those who have special educational needs is above the national average. The school provides specially resourced provision for up to 14 pupils with speech, language and communication special educational needs.

These pupils are taught in mainstream classes and receive additional support from education assistants and specialist provision from local health providers. The proportion of disadvantaged pupils who are supported by the pupil premium, which is additional government funding to give extra support to those known to be eligible for free school meals and to children who are in care, is above average. In 2013 the school met the government's current floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress in English and mathematics.

A National Leader of Education who is the headteacher of Elmhurst Primary School works closely with school leaders and provides support. The school provides part-time early years provision for children in Nursery and full-time provision for children in Reception. The school organises and manages daily breakfast and after-school clubs as well as Saturday morning provision during term time.