Parkgate Infants’ and Nursery School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school. Leaders have taken decisive action to eliminate weaker teaching and ensure that teaching is consistently good.

Pupils achieve well and attainment in Year 2 in reading, writing and mathematics has been significantly above national averages for two years. Children in the early years make good progress. This is because there is a good range of practical and challenging activities.

This progress is sustained across Years 1 and 2 for all groups of pupils. Pupils have very positive attitudes towards learning, so teaching proceeds with little or no interruption. Pupils look forward to coming to school and say they enjoy learning.

Gover...nance has improved. Governors hold the school to account rigorously for pupils' attainment. Together with leaders they share a clear focus on raising standards for pupils and closing gaps in achievement.

Pupils' behaviour is good. They show kindness and respect towards each other, and enjoy learning about each other's religion or cultural background. Pupils say they feel safe and that they are well looked after.

The large majority of parents agree that this is a warm and friendly school. A strong set of shared values which promotes respect contributes strongly to the pupils' good spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. It is not yet an outstanding school because : Boys, disadvantaged pupils, disabled pupils and those who have special educational needs attain less well in writing than their peers.

Teaching is not yet outstanding as teachers with additional responsibilities have not always been effective in checking on learning to support more rapid progress, particularly in writing.

Information about this school

Parkgate Infants' and Nursery School is similar in size to the average-sized primary school. Children in the Early Years Foundation Stage are organised into a Nursery class during the morning, and two Reception classes.

The number of pupils from minority ethnic groups is well above average. They come from a wide range of minority ethnic backgrounds. The largest group is of Pakistani heritage.

A high proportion speaks English as an additional language. The pupil premium provides support to just over a tenth of pupils, just below the national average. The pupil premium is additional funding for pupils looked after by the local authority and those known to be eligible for free school meals.

The proportion of disabled pupils and those who have special educational needs supported through school action is average (less than one in ten pupils). The proportion supported at school action plus or with a statement of special educational needs is low. The school uses 'Chessbrook Education Support Centre' to support a small number of pupils through alternative provision.

Since the previous inspection, over half the teaching staff have changed, including all the teachers in the Early Years Foundation Stage. A new deputy headteacher was appointed in April 2012. Over half of the governors have also changed.

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