St Paul’s CofE Primary School, Astley Bridge

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is an outstanding school.

Pupils' achievement is outstanding. As soon as children enter the Reception class they progress well, and their learning quickly gathers momentum through each year group. By the time they reach the end of Year 6, the standards reached by all pupils, including pupils from minority ethnic groups, those who speak English as an additional language, pupils entitled to additional support through the pupil premium and pupils with disabilities and special educational needs, is outstanding.

Teaching is exemplary. Teachers have exceptionally high expectations of all pupils, they plan challenging lessons, ask deep and meaningful questions, ...and meticulously plan lessons which involve and excite pupils of all abilities. Pupils' attitudes to learning are first-class.

They enjoy coming to school and their attendance is continuously improving and is above average. Pupils say that they feel safe and cared for and that they are proud to be members of the school family. They are highly cooperative and understand the importance of learning together.

The school is managed and led outstandingly well. The headteacher has very high aspirations for the school. Supported by a very able senior leadership team, committed teachers, teaching assistants and knowledgeable governors, she ensures that the school's view for the future and ideas are generated at all levels and that all are part of 'one team, one mission, one family'.

Parents speak very highly of the school. They describe staff as very approachable. Parents know how well their children are doing because the achievements of all pupils are captured in pupil mentoring folders which are regularly shared with parents.

The school is currently seeking to further develop and enhance pupils' appreciation and awareness of the importance of the natural world and ecological matters.

Information about this school

This is a smaller than average-sized primary school. The proportion of pupils supported through school action is above average.

The proportion of pupils 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 additional funding through the pupil premium is 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 those children who are looked after by the local authority.

The proportion of pupils from minority ethnic groups is more than twice the national average, and the proportion of pupils who speak English as an additional language is even higher. The school meets the government's current floor standards which set the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress in English and mathematics. The school has a breakfast club and a nurture group and offers a range of after-school clubs.

The school has National Support School status. The headteacher is a National Leader in Education. The school is a Partnership Plus school for Edge Hill University and is a leadership placement school for the National Professional Qualification for headteachers (NPQH).

The school is renowned for its work both locally and nationally, and shares its teaching practices with many schools. St Paul's Church of England Primary School converted to become an academy on 1 October 2012. When its predecessor school, of the same name, was last inspected by Ofsted, it was judged to be good.