North Thoresby Primary Academy

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school. All pupils, including those who need extra help, make good progress. Children in the Reception class do well because teaching is good and adults help children to become independent learners.

The quality of teaching is consistently good. Pupils feel safe in school. The 'buddy' systems are helping them to make friends and sort out any differences.

Attendance is above average. Pupils' attitudes to learning are positive and their behaviour is good. Relationships with parents and carers are good.

Teaching continues to improve because leaders give teachers helpful feedback after watching them teach. They ensure that teachers are helpe...d to develop and improve their skills through professional training. It is not yet an outstanding school because : Although pupils make good progress during their time at the school, the standards they reach in reading, writing and mathematics remain similar to national averages.

Occasionally, teachers' explanations are too long and there is not enough time for pupils to work independently in lessons. There is an insufficient emphasis on pupils' development of handwriting and presentation throughout the school. Systems for governors and for subject leaders to check the effectiveness of their actions on pupils' achievement are at an early stage.

Information about this school

North Thoresby Primary School is much smaller than the average primary school. It is part of a federation and shares various aspects of its work in partnership with another small village school. An executive headteacher leads and manages both schools in the federation.

The large majority of pupils are White British. No ethnic origins are recorded for around a quarter of the pupils. The number of pupils joining and leaving the school at different times during the year is well above that normally found.

The number of pupils attending the school has increased from 32 to 67 in the last two years and has led to changes to the organisation of classes. An average proportion of the pupils are eligible for the pupil premium, which provides additional funding to the school. The funding is based on the number of children at the school in local authority care, from Forces families and those known to be eligible for free school meals.

The percentage of disabled pupils and those who have special educational needs who are supported by school action is below average. The proportion supported by school action plus or with a statement of special educational needs is above average. The school's most recent results cannot be compared to the government's current floor standards, which sets the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress, because : there were not enough pupils to make such comparisons meaningful.

A before-school club, managed by the governing body, operates in the school from 8.00am to 8.50am each school day.'

Little Ducklings', a privately owned childcare, before- and after-school setting, operates on the school site. This is not managed by the governing body and so is inspected separately. The school is due to convert to academy status in the early part of 2013.

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