Prospect Vale Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school. Pupils make good progress in all year groups.

As a result, by the end of Year 6, standards in reading, writing and mathematics are above those expected nationally. This represents good achievement from their starting points on entry which are typically in line with those expected for their age. The quality of teaching is usually good with examples of outstanding practice.

Teachers plan lessons which are active, enjoyable and enable pupils to learn quickly as evidenced by the good quality of work seen in their work books. Pupils say they feel safe, 'because everyone cares for each other'. Pupils enjoy coming to school.

Behaviour ...is good both inside and outside the classroom. Pupils show courteous and considerate attitudes to staff, visitors and each other. Leaders and governors have worked well together to sustain the school's performance and raise both the quality of teaching and pupils' achievement across the school since the previous inspection.

Members of the governing body have a broad range of skills which they use effectively to offer support and challenge to senior leaders. Their work has directly contributed to the school's improvement. This continuous commitment and improvement shows leaders' ability to make the school even better in the future.

It is not yet an outstanding school because : In the Early Years Foundations Stage, staff do not teach phonic skills (linking sounds and letters) well enough and so children, including the most able, do not develop these skills as quickly as they should. School leaders monitor the quality of teaching regularly and accurately. However, the quality of record keeping is insufficiently detailed and does not always give enough guidance to teachers on how to improve.

Information about this school

Prospect Vale Primary is a smaller than average-sized primary school. Approximately 50% of pupils who attend come from families of White British heritage. Just over a third of pupils come from families of South Asian heritage and approximately 20% come from other ethnic backgrounds.

Just over 20% of pupils are new to learning English when they start at the school. A lower than average proportion of pupils are eligible for the pupil premium which provides additional funding for pupils known to be eligible for free school meals, those in the care of the local authority and those from service families. The proportion of pupils with special educational needs supported through school action is just below the national average.

The proportion of pupils supported at school action plus or with a statement of special educational needs is in line with the national average. The school meets the government's current floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress. Since the previous inspection the school has undergone a significant period of change with the appointment of a new headteacher, deputy headteacher and Key Stage 2 leader.

The school has a range of awards and accreditations including Healthy Schools, Arts Mark Gold, LPPA, Basic Skills Award and Eco Green Flag

Also at this postcode