Newall Green Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Key Findings

This is a good school.

It is not outstanding because attainment needs to rise further, especially in writing, and the quality of teaching is variable in parts of the school. The school is improving strongly and is successfully emerging from a period of low achievement. The headteacher and her senior leadership team, together with the governing body, are effectively steering the school through this period of change.

Achievement is good. Children start school with skills and knowledge below those expected for their age. They achieve well in the Early Years Foundation Stage and start to catch up with the levels expected of children of a similar age.

Attainment is still below average at t...he end of Key Stage 1, but the gap is narrowing. Pupils make good progress overall, especially in Key Stage 2. Progress in Key Stage 1 is also good, particularly in reading.

Pupils leave Year 6 with broadly average attainment in English and mathematics, although attainment in writing is lower than that in reading. Disabled pupils and those with special educational needs make good progress because : of high-quality interventions to support their learning. Teaching is good throughout the school.

All lessons are characterised by excellent relationships between adults and pupils, and by pupils' very positive attitudes to learning. There are good systems to identify pupils who may need additional support to boost their learning. Skilful questioning by teachers helps pupils clarify their learning and challenges them to think more deeply.

Sometimes, the pace and challenge slows in lessons, especially for the more able. Though always celebratory, marking does not always show pupils what to do to improve, especially in their written work. Strong and trusting relationships underpin pupils' good behaviour.

Pupils' positive attitudes to their work and good behaviour make a positive contribution to their learning. Leadership and management are good because the headteacher has built a very strong team who share the same ambitions and aspirations for the pupils. The management of performance is good and leaders at all levels have a good grasp of the quality of teaching.

Self-evaluation is accurate although school development planning is over-complicated and not understood by all leaders fully. Staff morale is high, and their commitment is recognised by parents, carers and pupils alike.

Information about the school

This is a much-larger-than-average primary school.

The proportion of pupils' known to be eligible for free school meals is very high. Almost all pupils are of White British heritage. The proportion of pupils supported by school action plus or with a statement of special educational needs is higher than average.

The school meets the current floor standard, which set the government's minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress. Since the last inspection the school has experienced changes to staffing that included the appointment of 3 assistant headteachers. The school has received several awards, including Leading Parent Partnership Award, Investors in People Gold Award, Manchester healthy Schools Award Scheme Gold and the Active mark.

Inspection grades: 1 is outstanding, 2 is good, 3 is satisfactory and 4 is inadequate Please turn to the glossary for a description of the grades and inspection terms