West Hampstead Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Key findings

This is a good school where pupils achieve well because of good teaching.

It is not yet outstanding because there is some remaining variability in teaching and, consequently, in the rates of pupils' learning and progress. Achievement is good. From generally below average starting points, all groups of pupils, including disabled pupils, those who have special educational needs and those at an early stage of learning English, make good progress in English and mathematics.

Attainment at the end of Year 6 is broadly average and improving. High quality support tailored to specific needs ensures that children and pupils in the specially resourced provision make good gains in their learning. Higher a...ttaining pupils do well throughout the school.

Teaching is good. Mostly, teachers plan activities which closely match pupils' needs and abilities with well-structured tasks, enabling pupils to make good progress. However the role of additional adults in supporting pupils' progress is not always consistently well planned.

Sometimes, opportunities for pupils to develop skills in working independently are more limited. Pupils have good attitudes to learning and collaborate well together in class. Their behaviour is good around the school and they respond quickly to reminders from staff about the behaviour that is expected.

They know how to keep themselves from harm, for example when crossing the road. Attendance is above average. Leaders, managers and members of the governing body have worked with determination to secure improvements to pupils' academic outcomes.

They manage performance successfully through a process of regular monitoring of provision and well-selected training for staff. The management of teaching is also good. Improvements to the curriculum boost pupils' performance in English and mathematics.

Pupils have regular opportunities to develop their literacy skills across a range of subjects but this is not always the case with their numeracy skills.

Information about the school

Beckford Primary School is a larger-than-average primary school with Early Years Foundation Stage provision for children in two Reception classes and one full-time Nursery class. The proportion of pupils supported by school action plus or with a statement of special educational needs is above average.

The school has a specially resourced provision for six physically disabled pupils. These children are fully integrated into the school. Pupils are from a wide variety of minority ethnic backgrounds with no dominant group.

A large majority speak English as an additional language, although relatively few are at the early stages of learning English. The proportion of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals is above average. More pupils join and leave school part-way through their primary education than is usually the case.

The school meets the government's current floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress. The school manages a breakfast club. The after-school play centre, which shares the school site, was not part of this inspection because it is not managed by the governing body.