Rockliffe Manor Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school.

All pupils make good progress. Standards in English and mathematics are significantly above average at the end of Key Stage 2. Pupils do especially well in reading and mathematics and many reach the higher levels of attainment.

Teaching is good and occasionally of high quality. Teachers' good monitoring of pupils' progress and the lively pace to learning help to make lessons interesting. Pupils get good quality feedback from the teachers about their work Pupils' behaviour and attitudes to learning are good and pupils feel very safe in the school.

The strong and effective leadership of the headteacher, ably supported by the deput...y headteacher and dedicated staff, have successfully created a happy, vibrant and welcoming school that is well attended by pupils. The range of subjects studied effectively develops pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural understanding. A rigorous approach to checking of the quality of teaching by the senior leaders and governors is helping to improve the quality of teaching and pupils' achievement.

It is not yet an outstanding school because : Pupils' achievement is not as strong in writing as it is in reading and mathematics. The proportion of the most able pupils attaining the higher levels in writing is below average. Sometimes, there are not enough thought-provoking activities and questions during the introductory part of the lessons to really capture pupils' imagination.

Occasionally, when teachers are addressing the whole class at the beginning of a lesson, the teaching assistants do not make an effective contribution to pupils' learning. Middle leaders are not yet fully effective in checking how well pupils are doing and the quality of teaching in their subjects because : they are new to their roles.

Information about this school

This is an average-sized primary school.

Since the previous inspection there have been significant changes to the teaching staff. The structure of the senior leadership is different and so are all of its members. All of the middle leaders are new to their roles.

There has been considerable change to the leadership of the school since 2011. The headteacher was confirmed in her position in January 2013. The proportion of pupils for whom the school receives pupil premium funding (additional money given to schools for particular pupils, including those known to be eligible for free school meals) is above average.

The proportion of pupils from minority ethnic backgrounds is above average. The proportion of pupils who speak English as an additional language is below the national average. The proportion of disabled pupils and those who have special educational needs supported by school action is below average.

The proportion supported by school action plus or with a statement of special educational needs is also below average. The school meets the current government floor standard, which sets the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress. The school manages its own breakfast and after-school clubs.