Seaham Trinity Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school.

Standards are improving and are now above average in all subjects. This is because the progress pupils are making is good and sometimes outstanding. Pupils entitled to pupil premium funding now reach standards which are as high as other pupils.

They also make good progress, as do pupils who have a special educational need. Pupils enjoy learning and behave well in class. The want to do well.

They are polite and courteous in school and play together harmoniously. They say they feel safe in school. Lessons are well planned and interesting so that pupils are engaged in their learning.

Teachers help pupils to clearly underst...and how they can improve their work so that they make good progress. Teaching assistants provide skilled support to pupils. They are well briefed by teachers and give small groups of pupils the confidence to succeed.

The headteacher, very ably supported by the deputy headteacher, has been uncompromising in the drive to improve the quality of teaching and the rise in standards. The governing body has a good understanding of the school's strengths and areas for development. Governors hold school leaders to account effectively and check the work of the school closely.

The curriculum is good. It has been carefully adapted to ensure that pupils learn basic skills effectively. They also have many opportunities to learn through exploration of the local area and further afield.

It is not yet an outstanding school because : Some teaching requires improvement. The more able pupils are not always sufficiently stretched in Years 1 and 2. Pupils have too few opportunities to solve problems and investigate for themselves.

Sometimes, pupils' progress slows when teachers' explanations are unclear. Marking is not consistently good. It does not always help pupils extend their learning.

Standards in some subjects are not as high as in reading, writing and mathematics because : subject leaders have not yet made an impact in adapting the curriculum to support pupils' learning effectively.

Information about this school

This is a larger than average-sized primary school. Nearly all pupils are of White British heritage and all speak English as their home language.

The proportion of pupils known to be eligible for pupil premium funding is well above average. The pupil premium is additional funding for those pupils who are known to be eligible for free school meals, children from service families and those children who are looked after by the local authority. The proportion of pupils who need extra help with their learning and are supported through school action is below the national average.

The proportion of pupils who need extra help with their learning and are supported at school action plus or with a statement of special educational needs is below average. Since the previous inspection, six new teachers have been appointed to the school. The school meets the government's current floor standards, which set the minimum expectation for attainment and progress.