William Booth Primary and Nursery School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school.

Leaders have handled the change to a full-age primary school well. After a disappointing first set of Year 6 results in 2013, standards are rising rapidly and pupils are making good progress in all age groups. Children join with skills and understanding far below typical levels for their age.

They settle quickly in the Nursery and Reception class, and continue to build on their skills and understanding throughout Years 1 to 6. The school focuses well on improving pupils' key literacy skills, and all pupils read every day. Many speak English as an additional language, and carefully considered support helps them to improve their language s...kills quickly.

Teaching is typically good or better. Staff who were new to teaching older age groups have settled well, and much teaching seen during the inspection was outstanding. Pupils who are eligible for additional government funding through the pupil premium do well, and are beginning to catch up with their classmates.

The skills of support assistants are used well. Their work helps disabled pupils and those who have special educational needs to make good progress. Behaviour is good throughout the school, and interesting activities make sure that pupils do not lose their concentration in lessons.

Staff work closely together to make sure pupils are well looked after in a safe environment. Pupils greatly enjoy the wide range of subjects taught and the rich mix of after-school activities. Parents strongly agree that the school is led and managed well.

Leaders and governors have increased the amount of good or outstanding teaching since the last inspection. It is not yet an outstanding school because : A small amount of teaching is not yet good enough to help all ability groups achieve well. Occasionally, the most able pupils are not given sufficiently demanding work.

Information about this school

William Booth Nursery and Primary School is an average-sized primary school. It has been growing in size over the last four years as it has converted from an infant school into a primary school. In 2013, its first group of pupils left from Year 6.

It now has pupils in every year group, aged from 3 to 11. The school is led by an acting executive headteacher and a deputy headteacher. The headteacher shares his time equally between William Booth and another school.

Around 40% of the pupils are White British. The proportion of pupils from minority ethnic groups is about twice the national average. These pupils are mostly from Other White groups, or of Pakistani heritage.

The proportion of pupils whose first language is believed not to be English is high. The proportion of pupils supported by the pupil premium is well above average. This extra government funding helps pupils who are known to be eligible for free school meals, children who are looked after by the local authority, and pupils with a parent in the armed forces.

The proportion of disabled pupils and those with special educational needs who are supported at school action is about twice the national average. The proportion of such pupils who are supported by school action plus or with a statement of special educational needs is just below the national average. The school does not meet the government's current floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress.