The Beacon Church of England Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is an outstanding school. Outstanding leadership has created a purposeful learning ethos where pupils flourish academically and their wellbeing is carefully nurtured. Pupils make outstanding progress as a result of teaching which is consistently good and much that is outstanding.

All pupils are very well prepared for the next stage of their education. The school has successfully encouraged a love of reading in pupils through many innovative strategies. A particular strength of the school is the outstanding teaching in the many small group and one-to-one lessons.

This ensures that all pupils, especially, those who are disabled and have special educational ...needs, make outstanding progress. Pupils are very enthusiastic about their learning and make every effort to succeed. Their behaviour is exemplary and they are a credit to their school.

Pupils feel safe. Work is marked extremely well in English and mathematics but not to the same standard in other subjects. Pupils do not always use the comments teachers make to improve their work.

The headteacher is very well supported by the deputy headteacher and subject leaders. Senior leaders check the achievement and behaviour of pupils in a meticulous manner. Governors understand the strengths and weaknesses of the school and have been highly effective in supporting senior leaders in their drive for improvement.

The curriculum is exciting and rich in memorable experiences. It provides pupils with a wide range of opportunities to improve their basic skills. All members of staff are highly valued and have every opportunity to improve their own practice and become leaders of the future.

All staff exhibit a strong desire to see the school improve still further and they are committed to helping all pupils achieve their full potential. This school has greatly improved since the previous inspection. Carefully implemented actions have increased achievement and improved the quality of teaching.

Parents are very positive about all aspects of school life and would rightly recommend the school to others.

Information about this school

This is a smaller than average sized primary school. Most pupils are from White British backgrounds and speak English as their first language.

The proportion of pupils supported through school action plus or with a statement of special educational needs is above average. The proportion of pupils supported through school action is above average. The proportion of pupils known to be eligible for the pupil premium is well above the national 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 school meets the government's current floor standards, which are the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress in English and mathematics. In 2013, the school was awarded the ICT Mark, Basic Skills Quality Mark, Gold Sing-Up Award and the International Schools Award.