Shireland Hall Primary Academy

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is an outstanding school The quality of leadership at this school is superb. Leaders expect and get the best from everyone.

Everyone's talents and skills are noticed and nurtured. Teachers' and teaching assistants' expertise is used to excellent effect to help others improve their practice. Pupils' many and varied learning needs are met and their interests and abilities are seized upon and encouraged.

Everyone gets the support and challenge they need in order to do their best. Teachers and adults at the school are excellent role models. They make sure pupils are kept safe, provide help when it is needed, and instil a sense of self-belief, optimism and amb...ition in the pupils.

Across the school, there is plenty of fabulous, often inventive, teaching that captures and holds pupils' attention with remarkable success. Pupils' behaviour and attitudes to school are exemplary. Those who find it hard to cope with aspects of school life get high-quality guidance and help.

Pupils who do well get the recognition they deserve. The school is a calm, orderly place in which to work and learn. Mutual respect operates at all levels.

Everyone gets on well and bullying of any sort is rare. Provision in the early years is good. Strong well-informed leadership is driving further improvements, especially in the Nursery.

From starting points that are generally below average, pupils do exceptionally well and reach standards that are in line with, and increasingly above, age-related expectations at the end of Year 6. Leaders actively seek parents' and pupils' views and involve them in decision making and school improvement planning. The vast majority of parents hold the school in high regard.

They receive regular information about their child's progress and are frequently invited into school to find out about how they can support learning at home. Governance is capable and informed. Governors display a deep-seated belief in making sure every child gets the best possible deal.

As the school has grown in numbers, they have been keen to make sure the culture of knowing each individual has been preserved. They keep a close eye on standards and have guided continual school improvement. The support from the multi-academy trust has been highly effective.

Across the school, there is a climate of trust. Leaders listen to staff and encourage new ideas. There is a strong culture of accountability yet no fear of failure.

Teachers and pupils know they will get constructive guidance when required and recognition when deserved. Everyone has every opportunity to succeed and feel successful.

Information about this school

Shireland Hall Primary Academy is considerably larger than the average-sized primary school.

The vast majority of pupils are from minority ethnic backgrounds and more than two thirds speak English as an additional language. The number of pupils on roll has grown considerably over recent years. The proportion of disadvantaged pupils at the school is above the national average.

The term 'disadvantaged pupils' is used to describe those pupils who are known to be eligible for free school meals and those who are looked after by the local authority. These pupils receive additional support from pupil premium funding. The proportion of pupils who have special educational needs or disability is below the national average.

In 2015, the school met the government's current floor standards, which are the minimum expectations for pupils' progress and attainment in reading, writing and mathematics by the end of Year 6. The school offers morning or afternoon early years provision for nursery-age children and full-time early years provision for reception-age children. The school converted to an academy in 2013.

When its predecessor school, Shireland Hall Primary School, was last inspected in 2011 it was judged to be good. Shireland Hall Primary Academy is federated with George Betts Primary Academy. An executive principal leads both schools.

The current postholder took up his post on an acting basis in September 2015 and his post was made permanent in February 2016. Prior to his appointment, he was the principal of George Betts Primary Academy. There is a federated governing body of 11 members, six of whom are appointed by the Elliot Foundation Academy Trust.