Ridgeway Primary Academy

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Key findings

This is a good school.

It is not yet outstanding as teaching practices are not consistent across all classes and pupils have the capacity to do even better. However, school leaders and the governing body demonstrate a strong capacity for sustaining school improvement. The school has fully addressed all of the areas for improvement identified in the last inspection.

Accurate assessment has identified that the gaps in the performance of different groups in the school are closing. The very large majority of pupils are making good progress. While pupils' attainment is consistently above that of most pupils nationally, school data indicate that some potentially more able pupils do not achieve the r...eading levels of which they are capable, particularly at the end of Key Stage 1.

The teaching in Key Stages 1 and 2 is mostly good. There is much outstanding practice worthy of sharing, for example improvements in the way that pupils' work is marked. Rigorous monitoring and ongoing staff development mean that any weaknesses are being tackled systematically.

However, there remain some inconsistencies in pupils' handwriting and the quality of what they write in non literacy books across Key Stage 2. There are also some inconsistent practices in the teaching of phonics and reading, including in communicating effectively to parents and carers how the school teaches phonics and reading and how they can help. The quality of provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage is outstanding.

Children are happy and highly motivated; consequently most make at least good, and some make outstanding, progress. Pupils are well behaved in lessons and around the school. They understand how to keep safe.

There is a happy atmosphere and pupils are highly supportive of each other. The school is well led and managed. The headteacher is aware of his school's strengths and weaknesses and he understands pupils' individual needs very well indeed.

The school's self evaluation is accurate and leaders have prioritised actions appropriately.

Information about the school

This is a larger than average-sized primary school with one annual intake into two Reception classes. It mainly serves the north east side of the town, with some pupils coming from outlying rural areas.

The majority of pupils are White British, with a small number from minority ethnic backgrounds and a few who are in the early stages of learning English. The proportion of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals is below average. There are currently 27 pupils supported by school action plus or with a statement of special educational needs.

Additionally, there are 15 pupils with specific medical needs and a small number of looked after children. There is a separate class for each of Years 1 and 2 and one mixed Year 1/2 class. All pupils in Key Stage 2 are taught in mixed age classes.

There is a breakfast club on two mornings each week. The school meets the government's current floor standard which sets the minimum expectations for attainment and progress. A new Chair of the Governing Body was appointed in September 2011.