Pollyplatt Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Main findings

This is a good school. Children get off to an excellent start in the Early Years Foundation Stage and make good progress through the rest of the school.

The outstanding care, guidance and support pupils receive, particularly the very effective systems to welcome new pupils, contribute significantly to pupils' exemplary behaviour and above-average levels of attendance. The clarity of vision of the headteacher, with good support from senior and middle leaders, ensures that pupils of all abilities are eager to learn and achieve well. The governing body fulfils its responsibilities well.

Thorough and systematic self-evaluation procedures draw effectively on the views of staff, pupils, parents and... carers. As a result, the school has developed well since it was previously inspected and has a good capacity for further improvement. The school is successful in helping pupils of all abilities, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, to make good progress and reach challenging targets.

Attainment is average in English and mathematics by time they leave school at the end of Year 6. Pupils have a good understanding of how to stay safe from harm. They are extremely friendly and considerate towards each other and have a strong understanding of right and wrong.

Pupils have a good knowledge of how to live a healthy lifestyle. They make an outstanding contribution to the life of the school and wider community through many opportunities to take responsibility in roles such as school and eco-councillors, peer mediators and play leaders. The quality of teaching is good overall.

It is sometimes outstanding. Relationships are excellent and teachers make learning challenging through the stimulating use of ICT, drama and games. Very occasionally, lessons do not start with their usual brisk and exciting pace and pupils are not always given the opportunity to clearly articulate and develop their thoughts about their learning.

This limits the opportunity for them to make the very best progress. Teachers make good use of marking. All groups of pupils are engaged by a curriculum which meets their different needs well through interesting themes and topics.

However, opportunities for pupils to use and apply their literacy and numeracy skills in other subjects are less well established. Teachers know individual pupils extremely well and track their progress very carefully. Exceptionally robust record-keeping contributes to the outstanding procedures for caring for pupils and effective systems for keeping them safe.

The comment, 'This is a fantastic school. I couldn't be happier,' fairly reflects parents and carers' positive views.

Information about the school

Pollyplatt is smaller than the average primary school.

The proportion of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals is below average. The percentage of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities is average. The majority of pupils are from White British families.

The school is adjacent to RAF Scampton and a significant number of the pupils are from military families. As a consequence of regular postings, a much higher proportion of pupils than usual do not spend their full primary education in this one school. The school has achieved several awards including the Green Eco School award, Healthy School Status and an International Schools award.