Southwark Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school. The Early Years Foundation Stage prepares children well for their future learning. As a result, they are happy, keen to learn and inquisitive about the world around them.

Pupils of all abilities, including disabled pupils and those who have special educational needs, make good progress in reading, writing and mathematics throughout the academy. Pupils make a particularly strong start in developing their reading skills which provide a firm basis for their subsequent learning. The quality of teaching is good.

It is sometimes outstanding. Teachers have high expectations of all groups of pupils and ask thoughtful questions to deepen their un...derstanding. Teaching assistants make a good contribution to many aspects of pupils' learning.

Pupils are well behaved and considerate towards each other. They feel safe and well cared for. Consequently, classrooms are calm and orderly, and pupils take a pride in their work.

Pupils' health and emotional well-being are strongly developed through many opportunities for them to take responsibilities and to participate in sporting, artistic and musical activities. The Executive Principal and Principal provide clear and purposeful leadership which is driving the academy forwards. They are supported well by effective subject leaders and a knowledgeable governing body.

As a result, pupils' achievement and the quality of teaching are improving well. It is not yet an outstanding school because : Teachers do not consistently reinforce and develop pupils' mathematical vocabulary. Teachers could make fuller use of marking and feedback to help pupils improve their own work.

Occasionally teachers do not make sure pupils are as resilient and determined as they could be in their work.

Information about this school

The academy is much larger than the average-sized primary school. The number of pupils on roll is rising and has increased by almost a fifth since the academy opened.

Southwark Primary School converted to become an academy on 1st September 2011. When its predecessor school of the same name was last inspected by Ofsted, it was judged to be outstanding. The proportion of disabled pupils and those who have special educational needs supported by school action is well above average.

The proportion supported at school action plus or with a statement of special educational needs is above average. The proportion of pupils for whom the school receives the pupil premium is well above average. The pupil premium is additional funding for those pupils who are known to be eligible for free school meals, children from service families and children who are looked after by the local authority.

The majority of pupils are from White British families. The proportion of pupils of minority ethnic heritage is well above average. The proportion of pupils who speak English as an additional language is broadly average.

A significant number of pupils join the academy in different year groups other than Nursery or Reception. The academy meets the government's current floor standards which set the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress in English and mathematics. There is a breakfast club and an after-school club which are managed by the governing body.