Newtown Linford Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school. Pupils make good progress from their different starting points.

Progress is rapidly improving, especially in writing and mathematics. Throughout the school, current attainment is reading, writing and mathematics is above that expected for pupils' ages. The most-able pupils make good progress and disabled pupils and those who have special educational needs are well supported so that their progress is in line with their classmates.

Pupils' outstanding behaviour leads to very positive attitudes to learning which have led to good progress. Parents are very happy at how well the school keeps pupils safe. The headteacher has led the school ext...remely effectively through significant staff turbulence.

The improvements made to leadership and pupils' progress since the previous inspection show the school has an excellent capacity to improve still further. The governing body provides a good level of challenge and support for the school. They are active in promoting the school's place at the centre of the local community.

All staff in the school share a clear commitment to raising standards and improving teaching and learning. It is not yet an outstanding school because : Staff do not have enough opportunities to observe and learn from the outstanding practice that exists in the school and in other schools. Teachers do not always make it clear enough to pupils exactly what they are expected to do and how the activities will help them to learn.

Teachers do not check on pupils' learning during lessons, which means they do not pick up quickly enough on pupils' misconceptions.

Information about this school

Newtown Linford Primary School is much smaller than the average-sized primary school. The headteacher was appointed just prior to the last inspection and the teaching staff has changed completely since her appointment.

Many pupils leave the school at the end of Year 5 to join a local secondary school that takes Year 6 pupils. However, this arrangement is changing in a year's time and Newtown Linford is expected to retain more of the Year 6 pupils. Most pupils are from White British backgrounds.

The school has a below-average proportion of pupils from minority ethnic backgrounds. None currently speak English as an additional language. The proportion of disabled pupils and those who have special educational needs supported through school action is average.

The proportion supported through school action plus or with a statement of special educational needs is average. Very few pupils are supported by the pupil premium, which, in this school, provides additional funding for pupils who are known to be eligible for free school meals. The number of pupils in Year 6 last year was too small for the government's floor standards to be applicable.