William Ransom Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is an outstanding school. Leadership, including governance, is outstanding at all levels.

When pupils leave the school, all aspects of their learning and well-being have been strongly developed. They are very well prepared for the next stage in their education Pupils achieve standards in Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 that are consistently and considerably above the national averages in English and mathematics. Many pupils make more than the progress expected of them in mathematics.

Although pupils' progress in writing in 2014 was not as rapid as it was in mathematics, reading, grammar, punctuation and spelling, this is already being addressed by leaders. Th...e headteacher provides outstanding leadership. With the highly effective deputy headteacher, she has established a strong sense of teamwork amongst all the staff and has sustained the high quality of teaching seen in the last inspection.

Subject leaders make a valuable contribution to raising standards in the areas they lead. Teaching is consistently good, with much that is outstanding. Teachers form very positive relationships with pupils.

This ensures they concentrate well in lessons and learn enthusiastically. Teachers' excellent subject knowledge and very good understanding of what pupils can do enables them to plan very precisely for different groups. As a result, pupils make rapid progress in all year groups.

Teachers and teaching assistants have very high expectations of how quickly pupils can learn and how highly they can achieve. Pupils love coming to school and have outstanding attitudes to learning. Pupils feel very safe and their behaviour in lessons and around the school is impeccable.

Their attendance is above average. All aspects of pupils' social, moral, spiritual and cultural development are catered for extremely well. As a result pupils are mature and confident when they leave school.

The school's curriculum is vibrant and exciting. There is a strong focus on creative subjects, as well as literacy and numeracy. Although the curriculum already provides regular opportunities for pupils to practise and improve their writing skills in other subjects, there is scope for these to be used even more ambitiously.

Children in the early years quickly develop an enjoyment of school life and make rapid progress in all areas of learning. This is because staff are well-trained and skilled in providing activities that enable childrens' learning to flourish. Governors have an excellent understanding of the school.

This enables them to challenge the school effectively and make significant contributions to the school's plans for the future. Parents are very pleased with the school. A very large majority would recommend the school to others.

Almost all say their children are happy, kept safe and are well-behaved.

Information about this school

This is an average-sized primary school. The proportion of pupils from minority ethnic groups or who speak English as an additional language is average.

The proportion of disabled pupils and those with special educational needs supported through school action is about 6%, which is below the national average. The proportion of pupils eligible for the pupil premium is around 2%, which is significantly below average. The pupil premium provides additional funding for pupils in local authority care and those known to be eligible for free school meals.

The school meets the government's current floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress. In September 2014, two newly qualified teachers started at the school. Early Years provision in the Reception class is full time.

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