Walkington Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school The passionate and effective leadership of senior leaders and the commitment of the staff have sustained the good quality of education at the school.

Governors are ambitious for the school. They challenge and support leaders effectively. Leaders have accurately identified areas for improvement.

Sometimes, however, leaders do not act quickly enough to make improvements or do not thoroughly check the impact of their work. In all key stages, pupils are now making good progress from their starting points in reading, writing and mathematics. Despite this good overall progress, teachers occasionally set work that is less well matched to some pu...pils' needs and do not check sufficiently on understanding within lessons.

Improvements in the teaching of mathematics have helped to increase pupils' progress and improve pupils' ability to solve mathematical problems. Nevertheless, the most able pupils would still benefit from further challenge. By the end of Year 6, outcomes are high in reading and writing.

In reading, they are particularly high. Sometimes, however, pupils do not use their phonics skills fully enough to spell words accurately. Pupils behave well and are polite, articulate and respectful.

The school is a calm, orderly and purposeful place for pupils to make the most of their learning. As a result of well-targeted support and effective use of additional funding, disadvantaged pupils and those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) make good progress. Achievement in subjects beyond English and mathematics is more variable.

Leaders are yet to ensure that pupils learn in sufficient depth in some subjects and build upon their previous learning. The development of subject leadership is now under way. Subject leaders have hitherto not carried out sufficient evaluative checks on the quality of learning and so their influence on standards has been limited.

Learning in early years gets off to a good start. As a result of effective teaching and provision, children progress well from their starting points. Effective safeguarding procedures are in place.

All staff have a clear understanding of how to keep pupils safe.

. Information about the children shows that most enter school with skills and

development at least typical for their age.

In 2018, the proportion of children reaching a good level of development was below the national average and children's progress was limited. Children are making better progress this year. Teaching in early years is good.

All staff are knowledgeable about the early years curriculum and adapt their activities to suit the changing needs of the children. Expectations of the children are high and adults model the behaviour they wish children to display. The teacher plans interesting and meaningful activities that enthuse the children.

Children join in activities enthusiastically and show perseverance, really concentrating on the tasks they are completing. They collaborate well and develop early skills of turn- taking, helping each other when necessary. For example, children helped each other to build tents in the outdoor area to make a home for the troll.

Teachers and teaching assistants work closely with groups of children. Their interactions help pupils to think more deeply and complete tasks. However, adults spend long periods of time working with small groups.

This means that they are not aware of the needs of other children who are working independently. These children do not receive enough guidance or challenge when working on independent tasks. As a result, their learning slows.

Behaviour in early years is good. There is a calm, welcoming atmosphere where children feel safe and secure. Routines are well established and this allows children to access resources easily.

The positive relationships that children form with staff and their peers help them to use the environment with confidence while moving around their activities sensibly. There is a broad range of provision available throughout the indoor and outdoor environments. Children's spiritual, moral, social and cultural awareness is developing well and support for their personal development, behaviour and welfare is good.

Leaders ensure that the children are safe and checks are carried out to ensure that safeguarding procedures are kept up to date. Leaders have worked hard to ensure that parents are involved in their child's education. Parents have regular opportunities to talk to staff about their child's learning and have access to children's learning journey records.

Arrangements are made for parents to join the children in a family picnic before their child starts at the school. School details Unique reference number 117866 Local authority East Riding of Yorkshire Inspection number 10087583 This inspection of the school was carried out under section 5 of the Education Act 2005. Type of school Primary School category Maintained Age range of pupils 4 to 11 Gender of pupils Mixed Number of pupils on the school roll 271 Appropriate authority The governing body Chair Chris Howard Headteacher Christopher Bullough Telephone number 01482 861115 Website http://walkingtonschool.

org Email address [email protected].

uk Date of previous inspection 5 June 2018