Wilkinson Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Key findings

This is a good school. Despite the recent difficulties, both provision and outcomes have continued to improve.

Overall effectiveness is not outstanding because teaching and achievement are not yet consistently outstanding. Children achieve well in Nursery and Reception. They make good progress in Years 1 and 2.

Progress in Years 3 to 6 has accelerated in recent years and is now good. Progress is most rapid in reading. While attainment is still broadly average by the end of Year 6, there has been a sustained trend of rising attainment.

Pupils' speaking skills are not as well-developed as their skills in reading and writing. Teaching is good. While only a small proportion of teaching is... outstanding, effective professional development and rigorous monitoring are contributing to increasingly high expectations of pupils' achievement and of their written work.

There are some missed opportunities to develop pupils' thinking skills through more rigorous questioning. Many aspects of assessment have improved. Marking is mostly thorough, providing clear guidance for pupils.

Behaviour, safety and pupils' personal development are outstanding. Despite the restricted confines of the current site and accommodation, and limited recreational space, pupils' behaviour is exemplary. Pupils have excellent attitudes to learning and take pride in all they do.

Provision for pupils' welfare is good and pupils feel extremely safe. Attendance is now above average. The headteacher and senior leadership team have steered the school through exceptionally difficult times.

Despite external challenges, progress has improved and standards continue to rise. The management of performance and the evaluation of pupils' progress and outcomes are good. The good curriculum contributes well to improved achievement.

Governance has improved and governors now make a good contribution to leadership and management.

Information about the school

Wilkinson Primary School is larger than average compared with similar schools. Most pupils are of White British heritage.

A few pupils speak English as an additional language, but only one of these is at an early stage of learning English. The proportion of disabled pupils and those with special educational needs, including those supported by school action plus and with statements of special educational needs, is below average. The proportion of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals is above average.

The school meets the current government floor standard, which sets the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress. The school has gained a number of awards, including Healthy School status. The school offers breakfast and after-school clubs, which are managed by the governing body.

The original school premises, and all resources and records, were destroyed in an arson attack in October 2010. Since that time the school has been operating in temporary accommodation, a cluster of prefabricated buildings situated within the school grounds. Work is due to commence shortly on a replacement school building, with completion anticipated in September 2013.