Wheelers Lane Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school. In most subjects, standards at the end of Year 6 are above average.

The high standard of pupils' written work is a particular strength. Pupils make consistently good progress. As a result of good teaching, children in the Early Years Foundation Stage make good progress in developing their early learning skills, particularly in communication and language.

Pupils enjoy school, are enthusiastic about learning and feel extremely safe. Behaviour and attitudes to learning are outstanding. Teachers' expectations are high.

This is evident in the challenging work provided for pupils who are ready for it, and in the very high expectations... set for pupils' written work. Pupils supported by the pupil premium funding make increasingly good progress. Provision for disabled pupils and those who have special educational needs, and the progress they make, have improved and are now good.

Pupils who speak English as an additional language make rapid progress in extending their understanding of English. Good leadership has been sustained through the recent changes. Governors, senior leaders and managers are relentless in their efforts to improve teaching, achievement and opportunities for pupils.

Governors are knowledgeable and effective. They challenge school leaders robustly in relation to standards and pupils' progress. This is a highly-cohesive and tolerant community where relationships are excellent and pupils and staff of all backgrounds work together to a common purpose.

It is not yet an outstanding school because : Standards in mathematics in Key Stage 1 have not improved as much as those in English and in Key Stage 2. Pupils do not have enough opportunities to use and apply their mathematical skills. While there is high-quality marking of writing, providing pupils with clear guidance as to what they need to do to improve, this good practice is not so evident in the marking of other subjects.

Information about this school

Wheelers Lane is much larger than the average-sized primary school. The school is a diverse community with many different nationalities represented. There are more pupils from White British or mixed-race backgrounds than from any other ethnic group, while pupils of Pakistani heritage form the largest minority ethnic group.

Around one-third of pupils speak English as an additional language. This is an above-average proportion. The proportion of disabled pupils and those who have special educational needs supported through school action is broadly average.

The proportion supported through school action plus or with a statement of special educational needs is above average. The proportion of pupils for whom the school receives the additional funding known as pupil premium (for pupils known to be eligible for free school meals, those looked after by the local authority and those with a parent in the armed services) is well above average. The school meets the government's current floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress in reading, writing and mathematics.

The school has experienced some disruption in its leadership in the last year, with the retirement of the former headteacher and deputy headteacher in 2013. There was an interim headteacher in the autumn term. The current headteacher took up her post in January 2014.

The Chair of the Governing Body was appointed on December 2013. The school offers a breakfast and an after-school care club. These are managed and inspected separately.

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