Pilsley Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school. Pupils make good progress from their starting points in both key stages.

They attain above-average standards by the time they leave the school. Pupils now make outstanding progress in mathematics at Key Stage 2. Teaching is good overall, and outstanding in some lessons.

Relationships between staff and pupils are strong. Pupils know they are valued and appreciate the support they receive from teachers and teaching assistants. Children make a good start to school because : they are taught well in the Reception class.

Pupils are extremely polite and considerate and they feel very safe and happy in school. Their behaviour and attitu...des to learning are good, and this makes a contribution to the good progress they make. Pupils are provided with many memorable learning experiences through a broad and inclusive curriculum.

Parents are very positive about the school and know that their children are safe, happy and well looked after. The headteacher and the governing body direct the school's work very well. They have had the full support of all staff in raising achievement through better teaching.

Governors know the strengths and weaknesses of the school and hold leaders to account for the school's performance. It is not yet an outstanding school because : Younger boys' communication and language skills are not as well developed as those of girls so they do not do as well in their reading and writing. Teachers do not always provide the right level of challenge for all pupils, especially the most-able, so they do not always reach their potential.

Some key leaders do not use pupil data well enough so have not been fully able to assist teachers in improving their practice to make a difference to pupils' achievement.

Information about this school

Pilsley is smaller than the average primary school. Almost all pupils are White British.

The headteacher was the deputy headteacher at the school when it was last inspected. He was appointed as headteacher in 2010. An average proportion of pupils are supported by the pupil premium, which provides extra funding to help certain groups.

In this school, it applies to pupils known to be eligible for free school meals. The proportion of disabled pupils and those who have special educational needs supported at the school action stage is average. The proportion supported at school action plus or who have statements of special educational needs is above average.

The school has a specially resourced provision for pupils with special educational needs. It supports up to eight pupils on the autism spectrum. The school meets the current government floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress in reading, writing and mathematics.