Shire Oak VC Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school. The dedicated headteacher has improved the quality of teaching, achievement and behaviour. All staff and governors share the headteacher's clear vision and have worked with determination to improve the school.

Teaching is good with some that is outstanding. The positive climate for learning and well-planned activities capture the interests of pupils and help them to learn well. Specialist teachers and teaching assistants are highly skilled and support good learning of individuals and small groups of pupils inside and outside of the classroom.

Children in the early years make good progress because the teaching they receive is good and oft...en outstanding. They are well prepared for the step-up to learning in Year 1. Pupils make good progress in Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2, especially in mathematics.

This is a significant improvement since the previous inspection report. Attainment at the end of Year 6 has risen to be above the national average in all subjects. Achievement at the highest Level 6 in mathematics is outstanding with a quarter of pupils reaching standards well above those expected for their age.

Behaviour in lessons is good. Attendance is good and punctuality is exemplary. Pupils are very polite and courteous.

They feel safe and well cared for. Pupils enjoy the many responsibilities they hold within the school. The exciting curriculum with an emphasis on outdoor learning and developing philosophical thinking skills positively supports pupils' preparation for life in Britain today.

It is not yet an outstanding school because : Although improving, the progress made by pupils who join the school part way through their school career is not consistently as strong as that made by other pupils. The accuracy and confidence of pupils' spelling in Key Stage 2 is not yet as strong as that seen in Key Stage 1. Although good progress is made in Key Stage 1, not enough pupils make the rapid progress needed to attain the higher Level 3, especially in writing.

Information about this school

Shire Oak VC Primary School is smaller than the average-sized primary school. The proportion of disadvantaged pupils supported by the pupil premium is above average. The pupil premium is additional funding for those pupils who are known to be eligible for free school meals and children who are looked after by the local authority.

Early years provision is full time for children in the Reception class. The proportion of disabled pupils and those who have special educational needs is average. Just under half the pupils are from minority ethnic groups, this is above the national average.

The proportion of pupils who speak English as an additional language is average. The proportion of pupils who enter or leave the school during their school career is well-above national average. The school meets the government's current floor standards, which are the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress in English and mathematics by the end of Year 6.

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