Penny Acres Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school. Pupils throughout the school make good progress, including the most able, and there has been a continued improvement in the proportion of pupils who attain above-average standards in the Year 6 national tests. Teaching is consistently good and lessons are active and enjoyable.

Teachers plan imaginative activities that help pupils learn by applying their knowledge in realistic situations. Senior leaders and governors have an accurate view of the school's strengths and have ensured improvement in teaching and achievement. The development needs of the staff are a priority so that all staff can fulfil their roles effectively.

Pupils' behavio...ur is good and their attitudes to learning are strong. They work hard in class and enjoy being challenged. Children joining the Reception class settle quickly.

Their development is good and they are well prepared for Key Stage 1. The school plays a key role in the local community. It takes advantage of its setting to provide pupils with a good variety of learning experiences that support their personal development well.

Pupil premium funding is used effectively to help eligible pupils do well. Gaps between the attainment of this group and others is consistently narrowing across the school. Sport is of a high standard and has a positive impact on pupils' determination to do well.

It is not yet an outstanding school because : Not enough teaching is outstanding because : some teachers are too slow to notice when pupils are ready to move on to more difficult tasks. Occasionally, they do not explain new ideas clearly when pupils need extra help. Pupils do not have enough opportunities to act on teachers' comments given in their books.

Improvement planning has not had a positive impact on realising the school's ambition to be outstanding because targets for improvement are not precise enough.

Information about this school

Penny Acres Primary is smaller than the average-sized primary school, although more pupils are on roll than at the time of the previous inspection. Pupils attend from the village and over a quarter come from the surrounding area.

The Early Years Foundation Stage caters for Reception-aged children who are taught in a mixed-age class with pupils in Years 1 and 2. Key Stage 2 pupils, in Years 3, 4, 5 and 6, are taught together in one class. The vast majority of pupils are of White British heritage.

The proportions of disabled pupils and those who have special educational needs supported through school action, school action plus or with a statement of special educational needs are below average. Very few pupils are supported by the pupil premium. The proportion of pupils who join the school during term time is above average.

The school meets the government's current floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress in English and mathematics. The school contributes to the work of a cluster of local school to improve pupils' achievement and the quality of teaching. The governing body includes representatives from several local businesses.