Nishkam Primary School Birmingham

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is an outstanding school.

The acting headteacher and assistant headteacher have been highly effective in improving the school a great deal in all areas of its work since it was last inspected. Rigorous checks on teaching by senior leaders have had a very positive impact in making sure that teaching has improved enormously over the last two years. Children get off to an excellent start in the extremely effective Reception classes, and are prepared exceptionally well for their move into Year 1.

All groups of pupils at all ages make rapid progress. They achieve high standards in relation to their different starting points. Class teachers and associate teache...rs (extra adult support in class) aim high and always want pupils to do their very best.

They provide teaching of excellent quality, and set demanding work that stimulates pupils and moves them on quickly in their learning. Adults make sure pupils become competent learners. They give pupils many opportunities to use and strengthen their learning skills.

Senior leaders and teachers check pupils' learning regularly and provide prompt support for any who are in danger of falling behind. However, assessment systems have not yet been updated for teachers to check pupils' progress through the new curriculum. Pupils behave extremely well at all times.

They are exceptionally polite and courteous to each other and to adults. This creates an environment that is highly conducive to effective learning. Pupils are kept very safe at all times.

They enjoy school and attendance is above average. Members of the Board of Directors and the school's governors keep very close contact with the school and know it exceptionally well. They have high expectations for all staff members, which they make clear through setting challenging targets for teachers' work.

They play a central role in planning for the school's development and improvement.

Information about this school

The school is larger than the average-sized primary school. Nishkam Primary School opened in September 2011 as a two-form entry school.

It has grown steadily in size since opening. At the time of this inspection, there were two full classes in each of the year groups from Reception to Year 5 and a small cohort in Year 6. There were no pupils in Year 6 in 2013-14.

Children attend Reception full time. The school is part of the multi-academy trust of schools known as the Nishkam School Trust. It is a multi-faith school with a Sikh ethos, with up to half of its admission places being open to children of all faiths and the remaining half to those of none.

All pupils come from minority ethnic backgrounds. Three-quarters are Indian. At almost 45%, the proportion of pupils who speak English as an additional language is above average.

The proportion of disadvantaged pupils eligible for support through the pupil premium (additional funding for pupils known to be eligible for free school meals or in the care of the local authority) is below average. The proportion of pupils who are disabled or have special educational needs is also below average. The school runs a breakfast club before school each day.

The school was inspected under Section 48 (inspections of faith schools) in December 2014. Since the school was last inspected by Ofsted, a high proportion of the teaching staff have joined or taken on new responsibilities: after the previous inspection, the headteacher left the school the deputy headteacher (Mrs Palbinder Kaur Brom) was acting headteacher from September 2013 to three days before this inspection took place. She has been supported by the assistant head in running the school a new headteacher joined the school in April 2015 eight teachers have joined the school, four of these were additional teachers due to the expansion of the school.

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