Newbarns Primary and Nursery School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is an outstanding school. Children start in the Nursery with skills and abilities that are well below what is typically found.

Pupils leave Year 6 with above-average standards of attainment. The progress pupils make from starting through to leaving the school is outstanding. Standards in reading are exceptionally high throughout the school.

In 2012, three quarters of Year 6 pupils reached a high level in reading compared with less than half nationally. Pupils do better in reading than in writing and mathematics. There are basic systems for checking pupils' progress as they move through the school.

When young children join the school, they are wea...k in the skills of listening, expressing views and working with one another. They make very effective headway in the Nursery and Reception classes. Though skills overall remain a little below average, by Year 1 pupils have learnt how to learn, they greatly enjoy school and forge ahead with their education.

A substantial proportion of teaching is of the highest quality. Teaching is rarely less than good and no inadequate teaching was seen. A major strength of the school is pupils' excellent personal development.

The school's caring ethos and high expectations of conduct and effort foster pupils' resilience and their pride in themselves and in their school. Pupils feel safe and secure. Pupils' manners are impeccable, as is their behaviour.

They are unfailingly considerate of one another, scrupulously polite to visitors and respectful to their teachers. Their enthusiasm for school life underpins earnest endeavour in the classroom and vigorous commitment in the wealth of additional activities that the school provides. The vast majority of parents express strong support for all that the school does.

Staff questionnaires indicate exceptionally positive views on the school's work and the way it is led. The headteacher has high ambition for the success of pupils, academically and in wider aspects of life. This vision is strongly shared by the staff and governors, who are unstinting in their commitment to the school's work.

Morale and eagerness for success are exceptionally strong throughout the school community. The tireless efforts of the headteacher and other staff have been sustained over many years; the school has been judged outstanding at three previous Ofsted inspections.

Information about this school

This is a well above average-sized primary school.

Almost all pupils are of White British family heritage. The proportion of pupils eligible for pupil premium funding is similar to the national proportion. (The pupil premium is additional funding for those pupils who are known to be eligible for free school meals, children from service families and those children that are looked after.

) The proportion of pupils whose learning needs are supported through school action is well above average. The proportion of pupils supported at school action plus, or with a statement of special educational needs, is close to the national average. The school meets the government's current floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress.

There is nursery provision in the morning and in the afternoon. There are 14 other classes, two for each year group. The headteacher, after many years in post, will retire in August.

Governors are in the preparatory stages of making a new appointment. The school has a before-school breakfast club. There is childcare provision in the adjoining Children's Centre which is inspected separately and for which there are separate inspection reports.