Simmondley Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school This is a school which is well led and managed by a highly organised senior leadership team that knows exactly what to do to raise standards. Together with a fully involved and well-informed governing body, senior leaders have ensured that teaching and learning have rapidly improved since the previous inspection. The quality of teaching across the school, including in the early years, is good.

Teachers and teaching assistants work together well to plan activities that pupils find stimulating and engaging. Pupils' skills in phonics (letters and the sounds that they make) are good. The proportion of pupils secure in their phonics skills and knowledg...e at the national screening check in 2015 was well above average.

Pupils' attendance is well above average. They are courteous, conscientious, and enjoy coming to school to learn with their friends. The school's work to promote British values is good.

Pupils are well aware of their citizenship rights, as well as their responsibilities. In 2015 almost all pupils in Year 6, including those eligible for support through the pupil premium, made good progress in reading, writing and mathematics. Year 2 pupils also made good progress and attained above expected standards in all subjects at the end of Key Stage 1 in 2015.

Their attainment in writing was outstanding. Parents are highly complimentary about all aspects of the school. They feel well informed, and are of the view that their children are happy, safe, and progressing well.

The leadership and management of all aspects of the early years provision are good. As a result, almost all pupils make good progress and attain well. It is not yet an outstanding school because : The most-able pupils are not always challenged to achieve to the very best of their ability.

The best teaching practice is yet to be fully shared across the school. The role of subject leaders in improving the quality of teaching is not yet fully developed.

Information about this school

This is an average-sized primary school.

The proportion of disabled pupils and those who have special educational needs is below average. The proportion of disadvantaged pupils supported by pupil premium funding is well below average. (The pupil premium is additional government funding to support those pupils who are known to be eligible for free school meals and those who are looked after by the local authority.

) Almost all pupils are of White British heritage. Children in the early years provision attend the Reception class on a full-time basis. The school meets the government's current floor standards, which are the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress in reading, writing and mathematics by the end of Year 6.

Since the previous inspection the governing body has been reorganised to include a new Chair of the Governing Body, and a new vice-chair. A before- and after-school club is based on the site. These are managed by the governing body.

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