Spinney Hill Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school The school has improved significantly since the previous inspection. Staff and governors have benefited from the clear direction provided by the headteacher and her deputy. Leaders have grown a team culture throughout the school based on sharing good practice and creating an 'open-door' policy.

Teachers and teaching assistants work collaboratively to meet the needs of pupils. Governors are effective in their role and hold the school to account. They are knowledgeable about the school's strengths and areas for development.

Through their high expectations, they support school improvements. The curriculum covers a wide variety of subjects an...d prepares children well for life in modern Britain. However, the school's assessment practices in subjects other than English and mathematics are currently underdeveloped.

Teaching and learning have improved since the last inspection. Children say their teachers make learning fun and that lessons are exciting. Leaders have created a caring and nurturing learning environment based on mutual respect and positive relationships.

Pupils' personal development, behaviour and welfare are good as a result of this. Pupils, including the disadvantaged and those who have special educational needs and/or disabilities, make good progress during their time in school. However, some most-able pupils are over-reliant on adult support.

Children in the early years get a good start to their education and settle in well. Transition into Nursery could be improved further as links with other providers are not as strong as they could be. The vast majority of parents are happy with the school and feel part of school life.

The headteacher is proactive in her approach to include parents and regularly consults them on various issues.

Information about this school

The school meets requirements on the publication of specified information on its website. There are four newly qualified teachers and two recently qualified teachers currently on staff.

Pupils come from a wide range of ethnic backgrounds and there is a much higher than average proportion of pupils who speak English as an additional language. The proportion of pupils who are supported by pupil premium funding is in line with the national average. The proportion of pupils who have special educational needs and/or disabilities is well below the national average.

Children attending the early years are educated in their own classrooms. Children attend the Reception classes full time and children in the Nursery attend part time. The school meets the government's current floor standards, which set out the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress in reading, writing and mathematics.