Parkstone Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school. Pupils make good progress across the school and attain average standards in writing and mathematics and above average in reading. Standards are rising and more pupils throughout the school are on track to attain above average standards by the time they leave.

Attainment in mathematics, which was the weakest subject in 2013, has improved this year. All groups of pupils including disabled pupils, those who have special educational needs and the most-able pupils achieve well. Teaching is consistently good or better throughout the school.

Teaching assistants make a strong contribution to pupils' learning. The teaching of reading is a particu...lar strength. Behaviour is good and pupils have very positive attitudes to school and to learning.

Pupils say they feel safe. Leadership and management are much improved since the previous inspection. The headteacher, well supported by the deputy headteacher, provides strong and effective leadership.

Much has been done to improve teaching and achievement. The school is well placed to continue to improve in the future. Governance is stronger and governors have a clear understanding of the school.

They continually challenge senior leaders to improve the quality of provision. It is not yet an outstanding school because : Although rapidly improving, standards of writing and mathematics are not as high as in reading. Pupils do not always have enough opportunities to apply their grammar and punctuation skills in longer pieces of work.

Not all pupils are fully confident in using their improving number skills to solve problems. The school's systems for marking and setting targets for pupils are not fully effective. Pupils are sometimes unclear as to which aspects of their writing and mathematics they should concentrate on in order to reach higher levels.

Information about this school

In this larger than an average sized primary school, the vast majority of pupils are of White British heritage and speak English as their first language. An average proportion of pupils are supported by the pupil premium. The pupil premium is additional funding for those pupils who are known to be eligible for free school meals, children from service families and those children who are looked after.

The proportions of disabled pupils and those with special educational needs supported through school action are above average. The proportions supported at school action plus or who have a statement of special educational needs are below average. In 2013, the school met the government's current floor standards that are the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress.

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