Owslebury Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school. The headteacher's ambitious vision for the school aims at high achievement and excellent personal development for pupils.

She has high expectations of staff and pupils. The school evaluates itself accurately. Improvement planning is good.

Pupils' performance is tracked rigorously and the quality of teaching is thoroughly evaluated. Weaknesses are addressed robustly. Pupils are currently achieving well.

By the end of Year 6, their attainment has historically been above average, particularly in English. In Reception, children make good progress in almost all areas. Teaching is well planned and organised.

The level of chal...lenge for pupils is good because : of the close match of tasks to the needs of the different groups in the classes with wide spans of age and ability. The school's positive ethos encourages pupils' mature behaviour in lessons and around the school. Pupils' good relationships with teachers, and the brisk pace of lessons, help their good learning and progress.

The curriculum focuses on basic skills as well as on art, music and pupils' personal development. An interesting extra-curricular programme contributes well to pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. Almost all parents are highly supportive of the school and its leadership.

One described it as a 'hidden gem'. The governing body is experienced and understands the school's strengths and weaknesses. Governors carry out their responsibilities well, and have the confidence to hold the school to account.

It is not yet an outstanding school because : Pupils' attainment in national tests fell to below the government's floor standards in 2012, and it is too early to judge the impact of the measures taken to put matters right. Pupils' progress in mathematics is not as rapid as it is in English. Pupils do not always know how to apply their mathematical understanding to analyse and solve problems, and marking does not always show them what they need to do next.

Information about this school

This is a primary school that is much smaller than average. The proportion of pupils eligible for the pupil premium, which provides additional funding for children in the care of the local authority, pupils known to be eligible for free school meals and those from service families, is well below average. There are no children who are looked after by the local authority or who are from service families.

The proportion of disabled pupils or those who have special educational needs supported through school action is below average. The proportion of pupils supported at school action plus or with a statement of special educational needs is also below average. In 2012, the school did not meet the government's current floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress.

Following the retirement of the previous headteacher, the school was led by an interim headteacher. The present headteacher took up her post in November 2010, and a new deputy headteacher was appointed in September 2012. Among the school's accreditations are the Artsmark (Silver) and the Hampshire Trailblazer awards.

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