Westcourt Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school. Pupils achieve well. They make good progress from low starting points to reach standards in English and mathematics that are broadly average by the end of Year 6.

Leaders and managers have provided a range of training and support to ensure teachers are able to meet the high standards they set. Consequently, teaching is now good overall, with some that is outstanding. Pupils behave well around the school and in lessons, showing care and respect for each other, the adults who help them and the environment in which they learn.

Pupils have positive attitudes to learning and use the guidance teachers give them to help them improve their work.... The school has worked effectively with parents and carers, and outside agencies, to improve attendance, which is now in line with national figures. Leaders, including the governing body, have successfully embedded a culture of high expectations where everyone is aiming for excellence.

The aspirational targets leaders set for teachers to meet have been instrumental in driving up the quality of teaching and the achievement of pupils in English and mathematics. Pupils are encouraged to think for themselves and given opportunities to discuss moral and ethical issues, such as civil rights and racist behaviour. It is not yet an outstanding school because : Teachers are now highly adept at using assessment to drive rapid progress in English and mathematics, but this is not yet as effective in other subjects.

Teachers are not as clear in subjects other than English and mathematics how pupils will achieve success in their learning. Books are not marked as comprehensively and pupils do not take as much care with their presentation.

Information about this school

This is slightly smaller than the average-sized primary school.

The proportion of disabled pupils and those with special educational needs supported through school action is average, as is the proportion of pupils supported through school action plus or with a statement of special educational needs. More than a half of pupils are eligible for the pupil premium, which provides additional funding for looked after children, pupils known to be eligible for free school meals and children of service families. This is more than double the national average.

No children in the school are from service families. Most pupils are from White British backgrounds. A range of other ethnic groups are represented in varying proportions.

The proportion of pupils who speak English as an additional language is just above the national average, a few of whom are at the early stages of learning English. The school meets the government's current floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress. There has been considerable staff turnover since the previous inspection, including the appointment of a new headteacher and a new deputy headteacher, as well as the formation of a new governing body.