Townlands Church of England Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school. Teaching is good throughout the school, and sometimes outstanding. Teachers use stimulating resources such as modern technology to make sure pupils of all abilities achieve well.

Reading is given a high priority across the school. The teaching of phonics (the sounds that letters make) is particularly effective and by the end of Key Stage 1, pupils reach high standards in reading. Disabled pupils and those who have special educational needs benefit from effective specialist support.

They make good progress and attain higher standards in English than similar pupils across the country. Pupils' behaviour and attitudes to learning are exempla...ry. They are nurtured from the moment they join the Reception class.

They are happy in school, feel safe and are exceptionally polite and caring to one another. The headteacher is very ambitious and has high expectations of staff and pupils. Her strong leadership has been instrumental in fostering a strong sense of community.

Leaders, governors and staff are committed to raising attainment through improving the quality of teaching and building on success. They have an accurate understanding of the strengths of the school, and clear plans to tackle areas which are less than outstanding. It is not yet an outstanding school because : Teachers do not always ask probing questions that help pupils, particularly the more-able pupils, to work things out for themselves and make as much progress as possible.

Strategies for communicating with parents need to be strengthened to enable them to contribute further to all areas of school improvement. The design of the outside area in Reception is preventing staff from providing activities which are of the same outstanding quality as those available to children indoors.

Information about this school

The school is a smaller-than-average primary school.

Almost all pupils are of White British heritage. The proportions of pupils supported through school action, and through school action plus or a statement of special educational needs, are higher than average. The proportion of pupils for whom the school receives the pupil premium is below the national average.

This additional government funding only applies in this school to pupils who are known to be eligible for free school meals. The school meets the government's current floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress. The headteacher is a member of the leadership team of the Affinity Teaching School Alliance, which provides accredited training opportunities for its members.