Willaston Primary Academy

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school.

Pupils' achievement is good. They make good progress, from their different starting points, to reach standards that are above average by the end of Year 6. Pupils' reading skills are well-above average.

They read fluently and with great relish because reading skills are emphasised from an early age and taught well throughout the school. Children in the Early Years Foundation Stage make good progress. They are excited and curious about learning because of the many well-prepared activities that include lots of opportunities to read and write.

The quality of teaching is good. Some teaching is outstanding and enables pupils to make ...rapid progress. The behaviour and safety of pupils are good.

They enjoy lessons and want to learn. Pupils are confident and keen to speak with visitors and to share their views. Leaders have an accurate view of the school's performance and are keenly aware of what is needed to improve the school further.

They have tackled weaknesses in the quality of teaching successfully and with determination and so the dip in pupils' attainment and progress in 2012 has been successfully reversed. Governors are very involved in school life. They challenge the school's performance, know what is happening in school and are fully involved in driving improvement.

It is not yet an outstanding school because : Standards in writing and mathematics are not as high as in reading because pupils' basic skills in spelling, punctuation and grammar and in number are not always secure. This holds back the achievement of a small proportion of pupils when they are in Key Stage 2. Teaching is not consistently good or better in all classes.

More-able pupils are not always given work in mathematics that is sufficiently demanding, especially in Key Stage 2. Not enough teaching enables pupils to think for themselves and become independent and self-reliant. Although expectations for pupils' achievement are high, very challenging targets are not routinely used when teachers plan pupils' work.

Information about this school

This is a smaller than average-sized primary school. The proportion of pupils supported through school action, at school action plus or with a statement of special educational needs is below average. The proportion of pupils known to be eligible for the pupil premium is below average.

(The pupil premium is additional funding for those pupils who are known to be eligible for free school meals, children from service families and those who are looked after.) Nearly all pupils are of White British heritage. The school meets the government's current floor standards, which set the minimum expectations of pupils' attainment and progress.

Before- and after-school care is provided on site which is inspected separately by Ofsted. Since the previous inspection the school has experienced significant staffing changes. Several new teachers have joined the school and a new headteacher has been appointed.