Wharton Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school Since the last inspection, the actions taken by the headteacher and governors have improved outcomes for pupils. Governors have established a strong senior leadership team with complementary skills and high levels of expertise.

An effective, and now stable, team of teachers works very well with skilled teaching assistants to ensure that learning is enjoyable and that pupils make good progress. Staff generate positive relationships with pupils and manage behaviour very well. There is a calm and purposeful atmosphere in lessons and at social times.

Pupils are keen ambassadors for equality and diversity in all their forms. The school celebra...tes difference of every type from the first day of Nursery to the last day of Year 6. An increasing number of pupils join the school at other than the usual times.

Some of these pupils speak English as an additional language and some have had no previous experience of school. Staff ensure that they settle in well and help them to catch up with their classmates. Well-planned cross-curricular links have enabled leaders to prioritise English and mathematics while giving pupils opportunities to develop skills across all the subjects of the national curriculum.

A strong programme of education for building character gives pupils valuable skills for life. Staff have taught them how to be resilient, to stay healthy and keep safe from harm. The provision for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) is well organised.

Pupils' needs are identified early and good support from skilled staff allows them to reach their full potential. The early years is well led. Children enjoy learning and playing and make good progress from their varying starting points and times of entry to the school.

Disadvantaged pupils in the school, especially at key stage 1, make less academic progress than non-disadvantaged pupils across the country. However, this difference is diminishing. Despite the efforts of staff, too many pupils do not attend school regularly enough.

The school's attendance remains below the national average for primary schools.

Information about this school

Wharton Primary School is larger than the average-sized primary school. The number of pupils supported by the pupil premium funding is almost four times higher than the national average.

The proportion of pupils who receive support for SEND is high in comparison with the national figure. The proportion of pupils who have an education, health and care plan is lower than the national average. The proportion of pupils from minority ethnic groups is less than one third of the average for primary schools.

The proportion of pupils whose first language is not or is believed not to be English is half the national average for primary schools. Staff work in collaboration with other schools via The Primary Improvement Network. Salford local authority provides a school improvement partner.