Townfield Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Main findings

This is a good school. It provides outstanding care, guidance and support for its pupils. The most vulnerable pupils are particularly well looked after and very effective use is made of a wide range of external agencies to meet their needs.

The support for deaf pupils is outstanding, and as a result, they are effectively included in all aspects of school life. This reflects the exceptionally high level of attention that is paid to ensuring that all pupils have an equal opportunity to succeed. The school is outstanding in its work to engage with parents and carers and to involve them in the education of their children and as a result, the overwhelming majority of parents and carers value highly the exp...eriences their children receive.

The warm and welcoming environment and the attentive support of all the staff ensure that pupils feel exceptionally safe within the school. Pupils know that there is always someone to turn to if they face difficulties. Pupils have an outstanding awareness of how to remain healthy.

The overwhelming majority enjoy school, attend regularly and behave well. The provision of childcare for young children in the Townfield extended day scheme (TEDS) is effective. Children enter the school with skills that are broadly in line with those expected for their age.

They quickly settle in to the school and make outstanding progress in the very effective Early Years Foundation Stage. Whilst pupils now start Year 1 with skills that are considerably higher than the expected levels for their age, in previous years pupils entered Year 1 with skills that were broadly average. As a result, the above average attainment now being achieved by the end of Year 6 represents good progress in Key Stages 1 and 2.

Progress is stronger in English than in mathematics and the school has identified the quality of teaching in mathematics as a priority for improvement. Whilst improvements have been made in the teaching of mathematics it is not yet as strong as the very effective teaching provided in English. Hence, progress in mathematics, although improving, is not yet as strong as that in English.

The progress made by pupils reflects the good teaching that they receive. Assessment is used well to set targets for pupils and to provide them with clear advice on how to improve their work. The performance of pupils is monitored closely and additional support provided effectively when required.

The analysis of data at a whole-school level to inform planning for improvement is effective, though the school has identified that it requires further improvement if this is to become outstanding. The curriculum is well planned and an exciting creative curriculum is being developed to further enhance progress and the enjoyment of learning. The school is very well led by an experienced headteacher, who has succeeded in promoting a clear vision for the development of an inclusive school that is shared by the staff and the governing body.

There is clear evidence of improvement, for example, in attendance, the quality of provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage and in the quality of teaching. The vision, rigorous systems for effective self-evaluation and track record of improvement show that there is good capacity for improvement.

Information about the school

This is a much larger than average sized school.

Its pupils are predominantly of White British heritage and the proportion of pupils from minority ethnic groups is below the national average. The proportion of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals is below that found nationally. The proportion of pupils with identified special educational needs and/or disabilities is below that found nationally, but the number of pupils with a statement of special educational needs is broadly average.

The school has a support base for hearing impaired pupils. There is a pre-school unit providing child care for children aged 2-4 together with a breakfast, after-school and a holiday club that are managed by the governing body. The school has gained a range of awards including Healthy School status, the Basic Skills Quality mark, the International School's award and Investors in People.