The Vale Primary Academy

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is an outstanding school. Pupils' achievement is outstanding.

Pupils of all ages and capabilities make remarkable progress in all subjects. The excellent provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage gives children a very good grounding in all areas of learning. The achievement of disabled pupils and those with special educational needs is outstanding.

Teaching is outstanding. Pupils are motivated, enthused and inspired in their learning by the high quality of teaching they receive. Pupils' behaviour is exemplary.

Very positive attitudes towards learning were observed in all lessons. The curriculum provides memorable experiences and rich learning... opportunities that allow pupils to be investigative in their learning. Leadership and management are outstanding at all levels.

Leaders have a very clear vision for the school and are successfully committed to continuing to improve teaching and achievement. Senior leaders and governors have a very accurate understanding of the school's performance, as a result of rigorous and regular monitoring. However, the role of subject leaders is not yet fully developed.

As a result, they do not have the same detailed view of the school's performance, especially in relation to the progress of different groups of pupils within their subject areas. Parents and carers are overwhelmingly positive about the many ways in which the school helps their children to learn and thrive as individuals.

Information about this school

The Vale Primary Academy is an average-sized primary school.

It converted to become an academy school on 1 July 2012. When its predecessor school Knottingly Vale Junior and Infant School was last inspected by Ofsted it was judged to be outstanding. A below–average proportion of pupils are known to be eligible for pupils premium funding.

(Pupil premium is additional funding provided by the government to support pupils known to be eligible for free school meals, those in local authority care and the children of service families). The proportion of pupils who are supported through school action is above average. The proportion of pupils supported at school action plus or with a statement of special educational need is below average.

The vast majority of pupils are White British. The school meets the government's current floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress. The school holds a wide range of awards including Healthy School and Young Enterprise Council's Primary School of the Year.