Oxspring Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school.

The issues identified as requiring improvement at the time of the last inspection have been addressed. Leaders, governors and staff have worked tirelessly to improve key aspects of the school's work significantly. Achievement has improved.

Children get off to a good start to their learning in the early years and clearly really enjoy many of the activities on offer. The quality of teaching has improved because of the strong leadership of teaching and learning. Most teaching is now good and sometimes it is even better.

Pupils achieve well from their individual starting points. They usually make the best progress in reading and wri...ting. Standards have risen at Key Stage 1 and continue to do so.

At Key Stage 2 standards are above average in reading and writing and in 2014 all pupils reached the age-expected level in mathematics. Attendance rates are high. Pupils say they enjoy coming to school and feel safe in school.

The headteacher is very well regarded by pupils, staff, parents and governors alike. The whole staff team are very hard working and committed. Many have developed key leadership roles.

Governors have considerable expertise and keep a regular and careful check on the work of the school. The school is developing an interesting curriculum that makes pupils want to learn. Pupils say they enjoy the weekly 'Oxspring University' sessions.

In these, they choose from a range of activities that are both educational and fun, such as baking, sewing and karate, as well as having the opportunity to hone their computer skills. Many parents say they particularly appreciate the 'family atmosphere' at Oxspring and comment that the school is very much 'at the heart of the local community'. Pupils frequently take part in activities in the locality, such as planting a herb garden for all to use and singing at community events.

It is not yet an outstanding school because : Some of the most able pupils do not reach their full potential, particularly in mathematics and writing. Occasionally, learning activities do not interest, inspire or challenge pupils enough to produce their very best written work. Progress in mathematics is a little slower than in other subjects.

Not all aspects of the mathematics curriculum are covered in sufficient depth. Some parents say they are not kept well enough informed about the work of the school and their child's progress. The school's website requires some updating.

Information about this school

The school is smaller than the average-sized primary school. Children start school on a full-time basis in a mixed class of Reception-aged and Year 1 pupils. The proportion of disadvantaged pupils, those supported by the pupil premium is below average.

The pupil premium is additional funding that the school receives for those pupils who are known to the eligible for free school meals and those who are looked after by the local authority. The proportion of pupils from minority ethnic groups is below average. Very few speak English as an additional language.

The proportion of pupils who are disabled or who have special educational needs is broadly average. The school meets the government's current floor standards, which are the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress in English and mathematics. At the time of the inspection the school was led on a temporary basis by a senior leader from a local school, supported by the NLE, in the unforeseen short-term absence of the substantive school leaders.