Upton Priory School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school.

Teaching is good. As a result, pupils make good progress in lessons and over time. By the end of Year 6, attainment in both mathematics and English is above average.

Pupils' progress from their various starting points is good in both English and mathematics. Carefully tailored support for pupils with special educational needs and disadvantaged pupils enables them to make good progress and to participate fully in activities. Behaviour is good and attendance is above average.

Pupils have very positive attitudes, enjoy coming to school and have very good relationships with each other and with adults. They feel safe in school. Leade...rship and management are good.

The headteacher, strongly supported by the deputy headteacher and governors, provides outstanding direction. Senior leaders have an excellent understanding of what needs to be done to improve the school further. In the very short time that the headteacher has been in post, he has acted swiftly and decisively and this is already having an impact upon standards and progress.

The headteacher has rapidly gained the confidence of staff, pupils and parents alike. Good promotion of spiritual, moral, social and cultural development enables pupils to thrive in a very supportive learning community. It is not yet an outstanding school because : Teaching is not yet outstanding.

Work is not always matched to pupils' needs and capabilities so that some pupils, particularly the most able, do not achieve their full potential in all respects. Pupils are not always given good guidance about how to improve their work nor do they always act upon the comments their teachers make. Some reading sessions are not organised well enough to help pupils progress quickly.

Subject and curriculum leaders are not yet fully involved in driving improvements in teaching and learning in their subjects and across the wider curriculum. Children in the early years provision are not always given enough opportunities to extend their learning through purposeful play activities, particularly in the outdoor area.

Information about this school

Upton Priory School is a much larger-than-average primary school.

The proportion of pupils from minority ethnic groups is low, as is the proportion of pupils who speak English as an additional language. The proportion of disadvantaged pupils supported by the pupil premium funding (additional funding for pupils known to be eligible for free school meals and those looked after by the local authority) is lower than that usually found. The proportion of pupils with special educational needs is lower than average.

The school meets the government's current floor standards, which are the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress in reading, writing and mathematics. Children attend the early years provision full time in Reception and part time in Nursery, moving on to full time when appropriate. Since the previous inspection, there have been changes in staff; several new teachers have joined the school.

The headteacher took up his post in September 2014. Before- and after-school provision, the Upton Beehive Club, is run on the school site by external providers. This is inspected separately.