Sir Alexander Fleming Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school The recently appointed headteacher has built on the previous strengths of the school.

She has clearly and accurately defined appropriate areas for improvement. The headteacher has accessed external support to ensure that senior leaders and governors have a deeper understanding of their roles and responsibilities. She sets high expectations and communicates these clearly.

This has led to governors offering enhanced support and challenge. Children in the early years benefit from high-quality teaching in an inspiring environment, and, as a result, make substantial progress in all areas of learning. Support for pupils' personal development an...d welfare is a strength of the school.

Leaders' vision for every pupil to have the very best care shines through. Subject leaders benefit from specific training. They know their subject areas well.

The leadership of mathematics is particularly effective. Teachers use their assessments of what pupils can do effectively to provide greater challenge for the most able. However, in some year groups and in some subjects, the most able pupils are still not provided with enough challenge.

Leaders plan the curriculum carefully in a way that inspires and excites pupils. Links to the local and wider community further enhance the curriculum, which broadens pupils' life experiences. While the majority of pupils make strong progress in writing, teachers do not consistently address basic mistakes, so pupils repeat them.

Letter formation is inconsistent in size, orientation and joining. This hampers pupils' progress in writing. Leaders and staff give reading a high priority.

Weekly 'reading mornings' promote the importance of reading to families. Pupils say that they enjoy reading. In mathematics, pupils achieve well and make strong progress.

They skilfully reason and problem solve and show maturity in oral and written explanations. Pupils' additional needs are accurately identified. Disadvantaged pupils and those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) make good progress.

However, on occasions, these pupils are over-reliant on the adults who support them. There is a strong culture of safeguarding. Pupils understand how to keep themselves safe in school, when using the internet and on trips and visits.

Information about this school

Sir Alexander Fleming Primary School is larger than the average-sized primary school. The previous headteacher retired at the end of the spring term 2018. An acting headteacher has been in post since then.

She has recently been appointed as the substantive headteacher. There is an on-site nursery that has places for children from the age of three. The majority of pupils are White British.

The proportion of pupils who are disadvantaged and eligible for the pupil premium is well above the national average. The proportion of pupils with SEND is above the national average. The proportion of pupils who have an education, health and care plan is in line with the national average.

Also at this postcode