William Rhodes Primary and Nursery School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a school that requires improvement Since the last inspection, pupils' progress has declined. Changes made to leadership and staffing are beginning to rectify this but pupils' progress and attainment are not yet good.

The quality of teaching, learning and assessment is not yet consistently good. Leaders are taking action to improve this but some teachers are slow to respond to the teaching approaches which leaders have introduced. By the end of key stage 2, pupils have not made enough progress.

This is equally true for disadvantaged pupils. Most pupils behave well. Some, however, do not concentrate on their learning well enough and low-level disruption ...occurs.

This is especially true when teaching does not meet pupils' needs well enough. Pupils do not attend as regularly as they should. Despite leaders' actions, some pupils continue to have high levels of absence.

Support for pupils who have special educational needs (SEN) and/or disabilities has not been effective enough. These pupils are well cared for, but leaders have not checked on their progress closely enough. Children in the early years do not make a good start to their education.

Their progress is slower than at the time of the last inspection. Senior and middle leaders are new to their roles. Much of their work is at an early stage of development.

Members of the governing body have not developed the skills they need well enough to fulfil some of their roles and responsibilities. The school has the following strengths The new headteacher, ably supported by other leaders, is ambitious and has high expectations. The actions leaders are taking to accelerate pupils' progress are making a positive difference.

Leaders provide an environment where pupils feel safe. Incidents of bullying are infrequent. The curriculum provides pupils with a broad range of subjects and learning experiences.

Pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is quickly improving. Leaders are developing strong relationships with parents and carers. Parents appreciate the improvements leaders are making.

Information about this school

William Rhodes is an average-sized primary school. The headteacher has been in post since April 2016. Three other leaders and several teachers have also been appointed recently.

The proportion of disadvantaged pupils is well above average. Most pupils are White British. The proportion of pupils who speak English as an additional language is small.

The proportions of pupils who have SEN and/or disabilities and pupils who have a statement of special educational needs or an education, health and care plan are average. The school provides a free breakfast club for its pupils. The school meets the government's current floor standards, which are the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress in reading, writing and mathematics by the end of Year 6.