West Heath Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school.

The school is improving rapidly. The headteacher provides an ambitious and well-defined direction for school improvement. She is well supported by senior leaders, an effective staff team and the governing body.

Together, they have greatly improved the quality of teaching and pupils' achievement since the last inspection. Areas for improvement identified at the time of the last inspection have been successfully tackled. This has led to marked improvements in the leadership and governance of the school, and in pupils' behaviour.

Pupils' achievement has improved significantly and is now good. Pupils' progress is accelerating. Senio...r leaders have high expectations and set high standards.

As a consequence, teaching is good and some is outstanding. School leaders ensure that staff benefit from good-quality training that helps them improve their knowledge and skills. Provision is good in the early years and children achieve well in all areas of learning.

They are well prepared for their move to Year 1. Pupils' behaviour is good. They actively engage in their learning and work hard.

Pupils feel safe and secure due to the school's effective safeguarding arrangements. There is a calm and purposeful atmosphere throughout the school. Effective use is made of the school sport fund to enhance pupils' physical development, health and fitness.

Most pupils take part in a sports activity or represent the school in inter-school competitions. The curriculum is well planned. Pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is strongly developed through the school's 'Values Education' programme.

This makes a considerable contribution to pupils' respectful, courteous and tolerant attitudes. They are well prepared for life in modern day Britain. Governors know the schools' strengths and areas for improvement.

They provide school leaders with challenge and support in equal measure. As part of the Colmore Partnership Teaching School Alliance (CPTSA), the school works well to improve its practice. It is not yet an outstanding school because : Teachers do not all consistently check pupils' learning throughout lessons or provide precise enough guidance on how to improve their work.

Pupils do not have enough opportunities to solve problems and develop their reasoning skills to deepen their mathematical thinking. Not all subject leaders play a full part in driving improvements in the quality of teaching and the achievement of pupils in their areas of responsibility.

Information about this school

West Heath Primary School is larger than an average-sized primary school.

The number of pupils on roll is rising. Children in the early years attend on a full-time basis. Most pupils are White British.

The proportions of pupils from minority ethnic groups and who speak English as an additional language are below average. The proportion of disadvantaged pupils is above average. These pupils are supported by the pupil premium, which is additional funding provided for pupils who are known to be eligible for free school meals and those who are looked after by the local authority.

The proportion of disabled students and those with special educational needs is above average. The school is supported by the Colmore Partnership Teaching School Alliance (CPTSA) and the headteacher of Colmore Junior School who is a National Leader of Education. The school provides a breakfast club for pupils from 7.

30am to 8.30am and after-school care from 3pm to 6pm. The school does not meet the government's current floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress in reading, writing and mathematics by the end of Year 6.

Since the last inspection in November 2013, a very large majority of staff have left the school. The headteacher has appointed new staff and school leaders. The school environment has been significantly improved.

Also at this postcode