The Beeches Community Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school. The school has made rapid progress since its last inspection, especially in raising standards and in improving teaching. The rate of improvement is much faster than for all schools nationally and pupils achieve well from very low starting points.

The relentless drive of the headteacher and deputy headteacher to tackle any gaps in learning means that almost all groups of pupils are doing well. Leaders set demanding targets for staff and use outstanding systems to check how well pupils are performing. Pupils' behaviour is consistently good in class and exemplary around the school.

All parents who expressed a view agreed that their child wa...s safe at school. The school makes good use of its support staff so that pupils receive the help they need when they need it. The governing body energetically checks how well the school is doing.

The 'Governor of the Month' makes sure that governors are fully involved in visiting the school and seeing it in action. It is not yet an outstanding school because : There is not enough outstanding teaching that really inspires pupils to apply their skills in a range of subjects. There is some inconsistency in marking, particularly in mathematics.

Some activities are not hard enough, especially for the more-able pupils. Not all pupils have sufficient opportunities to use and apply their numeracy skills in real-life situations. Children in one Reception class have limited space for outdoor activity.

Information about this school

This is a larger than average-sized primary school. Some pupils are taught in mixed-age classes. Most pupils are of White British heritage, or other White ethnic backgrounds.

The percentage of pupils from other minority ethnic backgrounds is average. An above average proportion of pupils are eligible for the pupil premium, which provides additional funding for children in local authority care and pupils known to be eligible for free school meals. The proportion of pupils with special educational needs supported through school action is average.

The proportion of those supported by school action plus or who have a statement of special educational needs is above average. The proportion of pupils who join and leave the school outside normal times is greater than is usually found. The school meets the government's current floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for the attainment and progress of pupils.