Prudhoe West Academy

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school.

Pupils make good progress in reading, writing and mathematics because of effective teaching. By the time they leave school, they reach standards above those typically seen at the end of Year 4. Children achieve well in the Nursery and Reception classes because good teaching supports them to develop their skills in reading, writing and number.

As a result, they are well prepared to access the curriculum in Year 1. Senior leaders have taken successful steps to raise pupils' achievement and address specific weaknesses in teaching. After a dip in performance in 2013, the rate at which pupils make progress is now improving well.

Pupi...ls are well-behaved and courteous. They enjoy school, attend well and take pride in their work. Pupils say they feel extremely safe in school.

Bullying is rare and pupils are confident that staff will address any problems that arise. Pupils make excellent progress in physical education because of the school's well-planned curriculum. They participate successfully in a wide range of competitive sport.

Senior leaders encourage pupils to express their views about school and take these into account when they plan the curriculum. This has improved pupils' enthusiasm for their learning. Governors keep a careful check on the work of the school and ask challenging questions of senior leaders.

They have a clear picture of what needs to be done to improve the school. It is not yet an outstanding school because : Teachers' expectations of what pupils can achieve are not always high enough. Work set can sometimes be too easy for pupils.

Leaders do not always set sufficiently precise or ambitious targets for teachers to ensure that all pupils make rapid progress in all subjects. Not all middle leaders play a strong enough role in improving the quality of teaching in their areas of responsibility.

Information about this school

This school caters for pupils aged 3-9 years and is larger than the average-sized primary school.

Almost all pupils are of White British heritage. The proportion of disadvantaged pupils for whom the pupil premium provides support is lower than the national average. The pupil premium is additional government funding provided for those pupils who are known to be eligible for free school meals and those children who are looked after by the local authority.

The proportion of disabled pupils and those with special educational needs is below the national average. Children in the early years attend either Reception class full time or Nursery on a part-time basis in morning or afternoon sessions. A new headteacher was appointed to the school in April 2014.

At the time of inspection, due to the headteacher's maternity leave, the deputy headteacher was in post as acting headteacher. An on-site community leisure facility operates in partnership with the school and provides a range of sporting opportunities for children and families. The school is a partner in the Tyne Valley Teaching Schools' Alliance.

This alliance provides professional development for trainee and qualified teachers. There is an on-site childcare facility, Our Kids Club, which is managed by a private provider. It has been subject to its own inspection and the inspection report can be found at http://reports.

ofsted.gov.uk.