Rice Lane Primary School and Nursery

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school The headteacher and her senior leaders have addressed the amalgamation of the previous infant and junior schools with determination and sensitivity. They have developed a shared vision for the combined school.

Senior leaders have a clear understanding of the school's strengths and weaknesses. They are determined to improve the quality of education at the school further. The curriculum is broad and balanced and contributes to the good and improving progress that almost all pupils make across a range of subjects.

Teachers plan interesting lessons and ask good-quality questions to probe pupils' understanding. Pupils feel safe in school and k...now how to keep themselves safe. Pupils behave well around school and in classrooms.

Teachers and leaders deal swiftly with the very few incidents of misbehaviour. Governors are supportive of the school. They are aware of the school's priorities and they contribute well to its continual improvement.

Pupils have limited opportunities to solve problems and to develop their reasoning skills in mathematics. Teachers' expectations of presentation in pupils' books are not consistently high. Children in the early years make good progress.

An increasing proportion of children are ready for Year 1 by the time they finish their Reception Year. Leaders have used training opportunities within the school, and in partnership with other local schools, to improve the quality of teaching. Inconsistencies in teachers' expectations mean that a few do not always demand enough from some groups of pupils.

This is particularly true for some middle-ability pupils who make less progress than others in the school. The attainment of disadvantaged pupils is improving. However, the difference in their progress compared to that of other pupils nationally is still too great.

Teachers occasionally do not give work that challenges all pupils, especially the most able. The proportions of pupils attaining the higher standards in English and mathematics are not high enough. Attendance rates have improved and are now above last year's national average.

Leaders work effectively to reduce the proportion of pupils who are persistently absent from school. Subject and phase leaders have improved their skills of monitoring pupils' progress and attainment. They have a good understanding of how well pupils are achieving in their subjects or phases.

Information about this school

The school is much larger than the average-sized primary school. The proportion of pupils supported by the pupil premium is above the national average. The proportion of pupils from minority ethnic groups or who speak English as an additional language is below average.

The proportion of pupils who have SEN and/or disabilities is above average, while the proportion of pupils who have an education, health and care plan is below average. Leaders and governors have created two SEN bases to meet the specific needs of pupils in the school. The school meets the current government floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for attainment and progress by the end of Year 6.