Sutton Primary Academy

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is an outstanding school The head of school and executive headteachers have ensured through their determined leadership that this is a rapidly improving school. Leaders monitor aspects of the school's work very closely so that they have an accurate view of its strengths and areas for development.

Members of the local advisory board and the board of directors hold leaders rigorously to account for provision and outcomes for pupils, although this is less well developed in special educational needs. All groups of pupils currently in the school are making very rapid progress across all year groups in reading, writing and mathematics, including boys, girls, disadvantag...ed pupils and pupils who have special educational needs and/or disabilities. The very large number of parents, pupils and staff who expressed their views were overwhelmingly positive about the school's leadership and provision.

The school makes very effective use of the pupil premium to ensure that disadvantaged pupils are doing very well. Almost all pupils enjoy coming to school. Teaching, supported very effectively by additional adults, consistently sets high expectations and challenges to ensure that pupils do as well as they can.

Pupils behave very well in lessons and around school and thrive in taking on additional responsibilities. The extensive curriculum and wide range of additional activities, especially sporting activities, ensure that pupils have a rich experience in school and are well set up for their future. Monitoring of uptake of extra activities by different pupil groups is less well developed.

Support and care for pupils who have special educational needs and/or disabilities is highly effective and much appreciated by parents. Pupils feel very safe in school as a result of the school's rigorous systems for safeguarding. Children get off to a very swift start in Reception where they quickly settle and develop an extensive vocabulary through the exciting activities which stimulate their interest and discussion.

The promotion of pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is a significant strength of the school.

Information about this school

Sutton Primary is much smaller than the average-sized primary school. The number on roll has grown by almost 50% since the last inspection.

The proportion of pupils who have special educational needs and/or disabilities is about one in nine, which is below the national average. The percentage of pupils with a statement of special educational needs or an education, health and care plan is also below average. The number of pupils from minority ethnic groups is very small, as is the number who speak English as an additional language.

The proportion of disadvantaged pupils is well below the national average. The proportion of pupils who join or leave the school midway through a key stage is above average. Sutton Primary is one of five schools in the Herefordshire Marches Federation of Academies overseen by two joint executive headteachers.

Day-to-day leadership of the school has been delegated to the head of school. The governance of the school is delegated to a local advisory board which is in turn accountable to the Federation's board of directors. The school meets the government's floor standards based on their 2016 key stage 2 results.

These are the minimum standards expected for pupils' learning and progress in reading, writing and mathematics. The school meets requirements on the publication of specified information on its website. The school complies with Department for Education guidance on what academies should publish.