Ponteland Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school The headteacher has created an effective and highly ambitious team of senior and middle leaders. They know the school well and their relentless energy in pursuing excellence is inspirational.

Pupils make rapid progress in improving their reading skills. They are skilful and confident readers. Pupils' progress in mathematics and writing is also strong.

The provision for children in the early years is strong and in the Nursery it is exemplary. This is because adults are highly skilled in spotting opportunities to extend children's learning. The school is highly successful in providing support for vulnerable pupils.

Staff are passio...nate about securing the right support for pupils and their families. Teachers have strong skills; they are steeped in finding new ways to engage pupils and help them to make rapid progress. They use assessment information very well to make sure pupils are working at the right level.

Pupils' behaviour is excellent. The school is an oasis of calm and purposeful learning. Leaders use a highly effective tracking system to keep a careful eye on how well pupils are doing, especially in reading, writing and mathematics.

If pupils' progress slips back, teachers provide short sessions of individual tuition which help pupils to catch up quickly. Pupils enjoy their lessons, and they are enthusiastic learners who are proud of their achievements. Governors provide the school with sharp challenge and equally strong support.

Disadvantaged pupils make good and sometimes better progress. The proportions achieving a higher level of understanding does not match that of other pupils. Pupils' progress in foundation subjects does not match the rapid progress they make in reading, writing and mathematics.

Boys' skills in writing are not as well developed as those of girls. Leaders' improvement planning is generally strong but lacks precision in identifying barriers to pupils' learning. Plans do not spell out exactly what success will look like.

Information about this school

The school meets requirements on the publication of specified information on its website. The school is due to become a primary school in September 2017 with the addition of Year 5 and Year 6 in 2018. The school is larger than the average-sized primary school.

The proportion of pupils who are eligible for support from the pupil premium is much lower than the national average. The proportion of pupils who have special educational need and/or disabilities is lower than the national average. The school is the lead school for School Direct in The Wider Ponteland Partnership.

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