Priory Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is an outstanding school.

Children join the school with skills that are much lower than those that are typical for their age. They make rapid progress so that, by the end of Year 4, attainment is in line with expectations with a good number of pupils exceeding expectations, especially in reading. The headteacher, with strong support from all staff and governors, shows exceptional determination to ensure that all pupils thrive in this school.

As a result, the quality of teaching and pupils' achievement are both outstanding. Teaching is outstanding because teachers know and support their pupils extremely well. They prepare stimulating and challenging activi...ties that are carefully tailored to the needs and abilities of all pupils, including the most-able.

Pupils are frequently told by their teachers how they can improve their work. Teachers' precisely written marking also gives pupils useful advice to help them improve. Staff work tirelessly to ensure that those pupils whose circumstances make them vulnerable are given high quality support which enables them to make rapid progress.

Pupils are extremely polite and well behaved. They come from a wide range of faiths and cultures which are celebrated by the school. They treat each other and adults with great respect.

Pupils are eager to learn, come to school well prepared and ready to participate enthusiastically in lessons. Pupils feel extremely safe at school and have a well-developed understanding of how to keep themselves and others safe at all times. Attendance has improved steadily and is now above average.

The vast majority of pupils arrive on time to school every day. The curriculum, together with the vast range of enrichment activities on offer, ensures that pupils are provided with many memorable experiences which ignite their enthusiasm for learning. This helps pupils develop very strong spiritual, moral, social and cultural values.

The school involves parents very well in their children's learning. As one parent told an inspector, 'the school inspires the children then they come home and inspire their parents'.

Information about this school

This lower school is smaller than the average-sized primary school.

The proportion of pupils supported by the pupil premium (additional government funding which in this school supports pupils known to be eligible for free school meals and those looked after by the local authority) is above average. Most pupils come from a range of minority ethnic groups, the largest group being of Bangladeshi heritage. The proportion of disabled pupils and those who have special educational needs supported through school action is below average.

The proportion of pupils supported at school action plus or with a statement of special educational needs is average. The number of pupils joining and leaving the school at other than the usual time is higher than that normally found. The vast majority of pupils speak English as an additional language.

Most pupils joining the school other than at the usual times speak little or no English. The Early Years Foundation Stage has a 'morning-only' Nursery and a Reception class. The headteacher is a local leader of education (LLE).