West Drayton Academy

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school.

The headteacher and the senior team have achieved their ambition to improve the school since the previous inspection. As a result, the quality of teaching and pupils' achievement are now good, and improving. The governors' contribution to leadership and management is effective.

The governors share the headteacher's ambition for continuous improvement at West Drayton. The academic progress made by disabled pupils and those with special educational needs is a strength. This is due to the specialist teaching they receive, which meets their individual needs.

Early years provision is good. As a result, the youngest children are makin...g good progress in all areas of their learning. Pupils' behaviour in lessons and around the school is good.

Pupils are proud to be a part of their school community. Families are encouraged to play a significant role in school life. They are supportive of the school and enjoy attending the many special events hosted by the pupils and staff.

The school has developed an exciting curriculum. It places a strong emphasis on pupils' personal development in preparation for life in modern Britain. This supports West Drayton pupils to become self-confident, respectful and aware of others' views.

Curriculum enrichment is a strength at the school. It offers breakfast, art, crafts and sports clubs. There are many opportunities for pupils to participate in local events and educational trips.

Health and safety practice is outstanding due to the highly effective systems at the school. As a result, pupils say they feel very safe and their parents or carers agree. It is not yet an outstanding school because : Pupils do not always make the rapid progress in mathematics learning that they achieve in reading and writing.

In the early years provision, too few children exceed the expected stage of development in some areas.

Information about this school

West Drayton is a larger-than-average primary school. The school has expanded since the previous inspection and there are now three Reception classes.

New premises have been built to accommodate the school's growth over coming years. Currently, there are two classes in all other year groups. There are 60 places in the nursery and all children attend on a part-time basis.

Children attend the Reception class full-time. Nearly two fifths of the pupils are eligible for the pupil premium. This is above the national average.

The pupil premium is additional funding the school receives from the government to provide additional support for pupils looked after by the local authority or pupils known to be eligible for free school meals. The proportion of pupils attending from a range of minority ethnic groups is high compared to the national average. The main groups are from a White British or Indian heritage.

Just over half the pupils speak English as an additional language and, of these, many join the school with little or no spoken English. The proportion of disabled pupils or those who have special educational needs is well above the national average. The school meets the government's floor standards, which set out the minimum expectation for pupils' attainment and progress in reading, writing and mathematics by the end of Year 6.

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