St Luke’s CofE Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Key Findings

This is a good school. It is not outstanding because pupils' progress in mathematics is not outstanding as it is in English. Also, the support for pupils outside the classroom is not always sufficiently closely monitored by teachers.

Pupils' behaviour and safety are exemplary. The two distinct minority ethnic groups and cultures that the school serves integrate very well; pupils are valued and appreciated for who they are. The achievement of pupils is good.

From very low starting points pupils make excellent progress in English to reach standards that are in line with national averages by Year 6. Attainment in mathematics for 2011 was below average, with pupils making good progress throughout ...Key Stage 2. The quality of teaching is good with some outstanding practice observed during the inspection.

Pupils are well supported by adults particularly those at the early stages of learning English and those with special educational needs. Teachers use different approaches to meet the needs of their pupils and make good use of resources and equipment to enthuse pupils in their learning. Pupils are enthusiastic learners whose outstanding behaviour and very positive attitudes to learning contribute to their good achievement.

Relationships throughout the school are characterised by mutual respect. Pupils are safe and have an excellent awareness of risk and how to keep safe. A recent focus on improving attendance has been very successful.

The leadership and management are good with some outstanding elements, particularly in providing development opportunities for teachers and teaching assistants. Priorities for school improvement are correctly identified and have resulted in marked improvements in different areas of the school's life. Systems for monitoring and evaluating the work of the school are securely in place, but they could be better used, for example in evaluating intervention strategies for pupil support.

Information about the school

St Luke's Church of England Primary School is a larger than average primary school with Early Years Foundation Stage provision of Nursery and Reception classes. The school has a lower than average proportion of girls, and the proportion of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals is above average. About two thirds of pupils are of Pakistani heritage and just under one quarter is White British.

The proportion of pupils who speak English as an additional language is almost three quarters, much higher than found in most schools. Approximately one sixth of pupils are either supported by school action plus or with a statement of special educational needs. This is double the national average.

A higher than average number of pupils joins or leaves the school partway through their education. From September 2011, the headteacher and a senior were seconded to lead another school within the local authority. During this period the deputy headteacher at St Luke's became acting headteacher.

The headteacher resumed her responsibilities at St Luke's in January 2012. The school has achieved the International Schools Award, the Leading Parent Partnership Award, Primary Basic Skills Quality Mark, Activemark and the Artsmark Gold Awards and has achieved Healthy Schools status. The school meets the government floor standard, which sets the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress.

Inspection grades: 1 is outstanding, 2 is good, 3 is satisfactory and 4 is inadequate Please turn to the glossary for a description of the grades and inspection terms