Shotton Hall Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school The headteacher has inspired leaders, staff and governors to work together to create a positive culture in the school where every pupil is valued and supported to achieve their best. The school has improved well since the last inspection. The headteacher and governors are ambitious for the school and make carefully thought out decisions to ensure continued improvement.

The new curriculum engages and motivates pupils in their learning. The quality of teaching has improved and is now consistently good. Pupils of all abilities, including disadvantaged pupils, those who have special educational needs or disability and the most able, make good progress... from their starting points.

Teaching assistants provide valuable support and work effectively with teaching staff to meet the needs of pupils, but particularly those who may be underachieving. This support enables these pupils to catch up with their peers. Pupils behave well and take great pride in their school.

They are welcoming and friendly and show respect towards others. Pupils say they feel safe and know how to keep themselves safe. They know they can approach staff if they have a concern.

Children in the early years thrive because the quality of teaching and the curriculum are good. They make good progress and are well prepared for Year 1. Staff work effectively as a team to ensure that children develop their skills well, providing firm foundations for future learning.

Pupils have a good understanding of life in modern Britain. They show respect and tolerance towards those from faiths and backgrounds different to their own. Their spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is strong and they show empathy and kindness towards others.

It is not yet an outstanding school because : There are not enough opportunities for pupils to write at length or in more depth. Teachers do not always ask sufficiently probing questions to promote pupils' thinking and problem-solving skills, including in the early years. Pupils do not always have the opportunity to develop the skills required to enable them to deepen their understanding and mastery of mathematical concepts.

Information about this school

This school is larger than the average-sized primary school. The vast majority of pupils are of White British heritage. The proportion of pupils who have special educational needs or disability receiving support is higher than found nationally.

The proportion of disadvantaged pupils for whom the pupil premium provides support is above the national average. Pupil premium funding is provided to support pupils who are known to be eligible for free school meals and those who are looked after by the local authority. Children in the Nursery attend part time and those in the Reception year attend full time.

The school meets the government's floor standards, which are the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress in reading, writing and mathematics by the end of Year 6. The school provides extended childcare provision through running breakfast and after-school clubs. These are managed by the governing body and formed part of this inspection.

The school's website meets requirements. The current headteacher took up her role in January 2015. Prior to this, there was significant turbulence in leadership and staffing.