West Denton Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school.

The school's aim of being 'a stepping stone into the future' is alive in this good and improving school. Staff, pupils and parents alike have positive views of the school, the care and the education it offers. Pupils, including the more-able, and those with disabilities or special educational needs make good progress during their time at school.

Teachers plan lessons well to ensure that the work set helps pupils to learn well, whatever their ability. They use a variety of teaching methods and pupils concentrate hard on their work. This helps them make good progress.

Pupils behave well in lessons and around the school. They are p...roud of their school. Strategies, such as 'house points' and 'class of the week trophy' help the pupils focus on developing attributes like empathy, respect and commitment.

The curriculum is exciting and relevant for pupils. Life skills and learning 'how to learn' are developed through an integrated approach. The school has high expectations of its pupils.

These are further developed through a programme of famous speakers, a 'life skills challenge', and links with other schools, among other innovations. The leadership of the school is inspirational. Led by an energetic, resilient and committed headteacher, the deputy head, senior leaders and governing body provide outstanding leadership.

As a result, pupils' progress in mathematics is outstanding, and progress in English is good and improving rapidly and securely. The quality of teaching and the attendance of pupils are improving quickly. It is not yet an outstanding school because : Progress in writing is not as strong as that in mathematics and reading.

More-able pupils are not making as much progress in their writing as other pupils do.

Information about this school

West Denton Primary School is a larger than average primary school. The proportion of pupils known to be eligible for the pupil premium is well above average.

The pupil premium provides additional funding for children in local authority care, those whose parents are in the forces and those known to be eligible for free school meals. The proportion of pupils identified with special educational needs and supported through school action is high. The proportion of pupils supported at school action plus or with a statement of special educational needs is above average.

The number of pupils who start school at times other than the beginning of the year or the beginning of Reception is above average. The number of pupils who speak English as an additional language is average. The school meets the government's current floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for pupils attainment and progress in English and mathematics.

Since the time of the last inspection a new deputy headteacher has been appointed and a full restructure of the senior team and middle leadership has taken place. The school is supported through the work of a local leader of education from Chillingham Road Primary School, Newcastle. The school has the following awards, amongst others: Healthy Schools Award; Leading Parent Partnership Award.

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