Somerville Primary (NC) School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Key findings

Somerville Primary is a good school at the heart of its local community.

Although attainment on entry to the Nursery and Reception classes is exceptionally below age-related expectations, pupils make good and, often, outstanding progress, reaching average levels of attainment by the end of Key Stage 2. All groups of pupils, including those with disabilities and special educational needs, achieve equally well. The headteacher, supported by a strong team, is relentless in her efforts to ensure that every child is cared for and able to achieve well.

In particular, leaders have ensured that all adults consistently focus on the development of pupils' language and literacy skills. Adults working in ...the Early Years Foundation Stage are particularly effective in this. The curriculum is outstanding, providing memorable experiences to inspire learning.

Pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is also outstanding; adults lead by example and there is a strong ethos of mutual respect. Most teaching is good and some is outstanding. There are a few inconsistencies in the way some teachers provide appropriate challenge and support to meet pupils' individual needs, particularly the higher attainers.

The quality of marking is not fully consistent and pupils are not always provided with clear advice about how to improve their work. Pupils behave well in lessons and around the school and have a good understanding of how to keep themselves safe. Attendance has improved significantly and is broadly average.

Leaders' rigorous tracking of pupils' progress results in rapid action being taken to address any underachievement. Pupils are closely involved in the setting of their individual targets. Opportunities are currently being missed to extend this further to promote pupils' independence as learners by providing them with more precise information about their next steps in learning.

Information about the school

Somerville Primary is much larger than the average-sized primary school. All of the pupils are from minority ethnic heritages with the largest group being Pakistani. Most pupils speak English as an additional language and enter the school at a very early stage of learning English.

The proportion of pupils with disabilities and those with special educational needs is above average. The proportion of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals is more than double that found nationally. All the pupils are Muslim and the daily act of worship is Islamic.

The school meets the current floor standard (national minimum academic standard). The school holds a number of awards including: National Healthy Schools status, the bronze Eco-Awareness award, Basic Skills Quality Mark and Investors in People. Pupils have won the Birmingham Business and Enterprise Challenge three times over the last three years and the school has been recognised for its work to promote children's rights.