Pontesbury CofE Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is an outstanding school. Pupils make outstanding progress and reach high standards in reading, writing and mathematics.

Outstanding teaching enables pupils to make very rapid progress in all aspects of their work. Teachers use their excellent knowledge of what pupils already know to plan work which is highly challenging for pupils of all abilities. Teachers use excellent questioning skills to probe pupils' understanding and to challenge pupils further.

Teaching in the Early Years Foundation Stage is outstanding and leads to excellent progress. Teachers' very high-quality marking and feedback to pupils helps them to understand how to improve their work. A...n exciting and vibrant range of topics across all subjects helps pupils apply their outstanding literacy and mathematical skills in many different contexts.

There is an exceptionally calm, purposeful and happy atmosphere in all classes based on respect, good humour and enthusiasm for learning. Pupils work very hard because they are extremely happy at school and feel very safe. Their outstanding behaviour and attitudes to learning contribute exceptionally well to their progress.

Pupils, staff and parents express a very high level of satisfaction and confidence in the work of the school. The new headteacher's urgent drive for further improvement has led to very rapid development which is building upon the already high standards of teaching and pupils' achievement. All staff are highly committed to pupils' success.

Governors undertake extensive training so that they have an excellent understanding of the school's strengths and areas to develop. They are very skilled in checking the school's work and holding staff to account.

Information about this school

The school is smaller than the average-sized primary school.

Most pupils are of White British backgrounds. The proportion of pupils supported at school action is average, while the proportion of pupils supported at school action plus or with a statement of special educational needs or the new education, health and care plan is below average. The proportion of disadvantaged pupils eligible for support from the pupil premium funding (those known to be eligible for free school meals or looked after by the local authority) is below average.

The headteacher joined the school in September 2014. An acting headteacher had been in place since January 2014. Some new subject leaders were also appointed within the school in September 2014.