Russell Hall Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school Leaders and governors have successfully worked together to drive improvement in the school. Good attitudes to learning and behaviour are well established in all classes.

This forms a firm bedrock for progress and pupils are now attaining standards typical or better than that of other pupils of their age. The overall quality of teaching has improved because more is expected of pupils. Focused training and support for staff has secured effective teaching.

Reading is at the heart of the improvements. It is enjoyed by pupils and celebrated across the school. Good provision in the early years has been strengthened.

Children settle qui...ckly in the well organised and caring setting and make a rapid start to their education. Pupils are keen to come to school. They are interested in all that school offers and attendance is improving rapidly.

The vast majority of pupils behave well in lessons, around school, and in the playground. Older pupils demonstrate a growing maturity in response to the responsibilities they have been given. Leaders have established a rigorous appraisal system and make accurate checks on teaching quality.

Well-informed governors are playing a strong role in the development of the school. Together with the headteacher they have addressed all areas identified for improvement at the last inspection. It is not yet an outstanding school because : Sharper use of assessment information is required to ensure that weaknesses in learning routinely inform teachers' planning.

Not enough pupils are reaching the highest levels across reading, writing and mathematics at both key stage 1 and key stage 2. There is a need to meet the speech and language needs of a significant minority of pupils through a more strategic approach.

Information about this school

This is slightly smaller than the average-sized primary school.

The majority of pupils are of White British heritage. The proportion of pupils eligible for the pupil premium is higher than average (the pupil premium is additional funding for pupils who are known to be eligible for free school meals, and those looked after by the local authority). The number of pupils who have special educational needs or disability is slightly higher than is typical.

The number of pupils with statements of special educational needs or education, health and care plans is below the national average. The school meets the current floor standards, which set out the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment in English and mathematics. Children in the early years attend part time in Nursery and full time in Reception.