Weston Mill Community Primary Academy

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Key findings

Weston Mill has made very good progress and it is now a good school where pupils enjoy their learning and benefit from good opportunities for personal development in a warm and caring environment. The school is not outstanding as actions to improve teaching and pupils' progress have currently secured good, rather than outstanding, achievement. In accordance with section 13 (4) of the Education Act 2005, Her Majesty's Chief Inspector is of the opinion that the school no longer requires special measures.

Children get off to a good start in the Foundation Unit. The progress of Year 2 pupils has shown some unevenness as the curriculum did not fully meet their needs at first in Year 1 and there have been so...me weaknesses in teaching. These problems have been systematically addressed and Year 2 pupils have since made good progress in reading, writing and mathematics.

The school is rightly determined to ensure that progress accelerates more smoothly through Years 1 and 2. Progress has improved significantly, particularly in Years 3 to 6, because of better teaching and rigorous tracking of pupils' progress. Achievement in English and mathematics by the end of Year 6 is now good.

Teaching has improved, particularly of reading, and is good. Much good teaching was observed by inspectors with engaging activities proceeding at a brisk pace in classrooms that provided a rich environment for learning. Pupils concentrated well and were keen to contribute their ideas.

Behaviour is good. Pupils' attitudes to their learning are positive and pupils report that they feel safe in school. The school has worked successfully to promote better attendance but it remains broadly average.

Data are analysed to identify patterns of attendance by different groups, but information is not used sufficiently to inform actions to promote better attendance. The headteacher has shown a steely determination to improve the school. She has successfully established strong senior and middle leadership and focused sharply on improving teaching.

There is a clear ambition for the continuing improvement of the school that is widely shared.

Information about the school

Weston Mill is larger than the average-sized primary school. It serves a largely White British community from the surrounding area.

The proportion of pupils supported at school action plus or with a statement of special educational needs is broadly average. The percentage of those known to be eligible for free school meals is above average. The school meets the current government floor standard for the proportion of pupils attaining Level 4 and above in both English and mathematics.

When Weston Mill Community Primary School was inspected in September 2010, it was judged to require special measures. Subsequently, the school was inspected on four occasions. At the last monitoring inspection, the school was judged to be making good progress.