Sheep Dip Lane Academy

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a school that requires improvement Leaders and governors have not managed to prevent a decline in pupils' achievement in reading and writing since the last inspection.

Standards of literacy are too low across much of the school. Too few pupils, by the time they leave the school, are sufficiently well prepared for secondary school. Instability in staffing has contributed to pupils' weak progress over time.

Notwithstanding some recent improvements, the quality of teaching continues to vary too much. A minority of the many teaching assistants are not well trained to carry out their duties effectively. Sometimes, teachers do not effectively direct the work... of teaching assistants to support pupils' learning.

Too many of the least able pupils, many of whom have special educational needs (SEN) and/or disabilities, are not catching up. Teachers do not help the most able pupils to reach high standards. A big difference remains between the attainment of disadvantaged pupils in the school and that of other pupils nationally.

Despite an otherwise broad and balanced curriculum, leaders do not ensure sufficient religious education (RE) is taught. Pupils do not learn enough about the beliefs, faiths and genders of people in modern Britain. Too many pupils, in some classes, disrupt their own and others' learning.

The school has the following strengths Senior leaders have managed to stabilise staffing. Teaching is improving. Across the school, pupils' progress in mathematics is stronger than in other subjects.

This is because of more effective teaching in this subject. Leaders work tirelessly and effectively to protect and involve the most vulnerable and challenged pupils. Teaching in the early years has gone from strength to strength and gives children a good head start.

The very effective leadership and teaching of art results in pupils producing high-quality work. Pupils benefit from, and enjoy, a wide range of extra-curricular activities. Many visits and visitors to school broaden pupils' horizons.

Information about this school

Hatfield Sheep Dip Lane Primary School is a broadly average-sized primary school. Just over half the pupils in the school are eligible for the pupil premium. The vast majority of pupils are White British.

The proportion of pupils who have SEN and/or disabilities is broadly in line with the national average. The proportion with an education, health and care plan is above average. The school exceeds the government floor standards, which are the minimum standards of achievement set by the Department for Education.