Walderslade Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school. The new headteacher and deputy headteacher lead the school well.

They have managed to navigate it successfully through recent changes of staffing. As a result of a more rigorous approach to improving teaching, the leaders have ensured that pupils' achievement and the school's effectiveness are good. They are still improving.

Pupils' improved behaviour is now good and underpins their better attitudes to learning. Pupils are proud of awards the school has received for its artistic, sporting and musical achievements. The early years provision is effective in supporting children's development in most areas of their learning.

Teachin...g is good. Teachers and teaching assistants provide effective support for pupils of all abilities. Pupils read confidently and widely.

They know a range of authors and can talk about their favourite types of books. The school's effective promotion of pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development results in mature pupils who willingly work together with others. Pupils are prepared well for life in modern Britain.

Pupils are articulate and can explain their point of view clearly. They listen carefully to adults and classmates. Safeguarding is high priority.

Pupils feel safe and secure. Relationships between pupils and staff are excellent. The school is a happy place in which to learn.

Governors are fully involved in monitoring all aspects of the school's work. They are well informed about the quality of teaching and pupils' achievement. Governors hold the staff to account effectively for their impact on pupils' progress.

Parents are very supportive of the school and its work. The improved website, more regular meetings and use of social media are raising parents' awareness of the school's achievements. It is not yet an outstanding school because : Pupils do not always use their well-developed writing skills sufficiently in other subjects.

Information technology is not always used effectively to support pupils' learning. Teaching does not always ensure that pupils use their investigative mathematical skills in different ways. The outdoor area for early years is not big enough to cater for the number of children who need to use it to extend their learning.

Information about this school

Walderslade is a smaller-than-average-sized primary school. The proportion of pupils who are disadvantaged, that is, eligible for additional funding from the pupil premium, is below average. This is funding for pupils eligible for free school meals and those looked after by the local education authority.

As there were fewer than five Year 6 pupils eligible last year for funding, their progress is not reported. Most pupils are of White British heritage. The proportion of disabled pupils and those who have special educational needs is below average.

Since the last inspection, there have been changes in leadership. An executive headteacher temporarily managed the school during the prolonged absence of the previous headteacher. The present headteacher started in April 2014 and the deputy headteacher in September 2014.

The school fell short of meeting the government's floor standards last year. These set the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress at the end of Year 6. The early years provision consists of the school's Nursery and Reception classes.

Children attend part time in the Nursery and full time in the Reception class. The school has a breakfast club which was included in this inspection. There have been changes in teaching staff since the last inspection.