Sylvester Primary Academy

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school. Pupils achieve well from low starting points. By the end of Year 6, attainment is above average in reading, writing and mathematics.

Children settle quickly and well in the Early Years Foundation Stage and make good progress. Most teaching is good and some is outstanding. Teachers have good subject knowledge and use questioning very effectively.

Pupils enjoy school and trust the adults. They feel safe and well looked after. Behaviour is outstanding in class and around the school.

From the earliest age children learn how to concentrate, organise themselves and work well together. Leaders and managers are ambitious to improve furt...her. They make rigorous checks on all aspects of the school's work and take prompt and decisive action where necessary.

This has brought about a rise in standards across the school. Pupils take part in a wide range of interesting and exciting experiences through different themes, visits and clubs. Many pupils enjoy extra sporting activities.

The governing body has a clear understanding of the strengths of the school and where it can do better. They make every effort to be informed in order to make effective decisions. It is not yet an outstanding school because : There is not yet enough outstanding teaching to ensure all pupils, and particularly the most- able pupils, make outstanding progress.

Pupils are not always given enough opportunities to work on their own and think things out for themselves. Middle leaders take an active role in checking on pupils' progress but opportunities are too limited for them to observe teaching practice.

Information about this school

The school is slightly smaller than the average-sized primary school.

Most pupils are from White British backgrounds and only a few speak English as an additional language. The proportion of pupils eligible for the pupil premium is high. Pupil premium is additional funding given to the school for children in local authority care, pupils known to be eligible for free school meals and children of service families.

The proportion of disabled pupils and those who have special educational needs supported at school action is average; the proportion supported at school action plus or with a statement of additional needs is well above average. The school meets the government's current floor standard, which sets the minimum expectations for attainment and progress. Since the previous inspection there has been an acting headteacher during 2011-12 and a new headteacher was appointed in September 2012.