Newtown CofE Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is an outstanding school. The excellent drive, enthusiasm and vision of the headteacher, combined with the full support of an exceptionally talented and committed staff team, have transformed the school from satisfactory to outstanding by greatly improving teaching and pupils' achievement. Teaching is outstanding.

Teachers know their pupils' needs particularly well and use the information very effectively to ensure that these are fully met. Progress in English and mathematics is tracked extremely carefully, but more informally in other areas. Children make good progress in the Nursery and Reception class.

Standards at the end of Year 6 are significantly a...bove average in reading, writing and mathematics. From an early age, pupils enjoy coming to school and this shows in their eagerness to learn and their consistently high attendance rates. Pupils' behaviour is exemplary.

They love being in school, have very positive attitudes to their learning and support each other extremely well. They feel very safe in school. The school promotes mutual care and respect, recognises pupils' achievements, champions their independence, builds their self-esteem and drives the pursuit of excellence for all.

Staff are supportive and caring. With governing body members, volunteers and visitors to the school, they create an exceptional place for learning. Excellent support for disabled pupils and those who have special educational needs ensures they make outstanding progress.

The headteacher is passionate about ensuring that all pupils do as well as they can and sets very high expectations for staff. Checks on teaching and progress are very thorough and staff receive the right support and training to ensure all lessons are of a high quality. Leaders and managers, including the governing body, know exactly what needs to be done to sustain the high standards the school has reached and are ambitious for it to do even better.

Pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is outstanding. They develop into confident, articulate and reflective individuals who are extremely well prepared for the next stage of their education.

Information about this school

This school is smaller than most other primary schools.

Most pupils are White British. The proportion of pupils known to be eligible for the pupil premium is below the national average. This extra funding is provided to support the education of certain groups, such as pupils who are known to be eligible for free school meals or looked after by the local authority.

The proportion of disabled pupils and those who have special educational needs supported at school action is below the national average. The proportion of such pupils supported at school action plus or with a statement of special educational needs is above average. The school meets the government's current floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress.