Longshaw Nursery School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school The executive headteacher, senior leaders and members of the interim executive board (IEB) have swiftly brought stability back to the leadership and management of the school.

The IEB is very quickly moving towards becoming the constituted governing body of the school. No one can question the dedication and commitment of its members. They have supported the school well through some challenging times.

Current staff work closely as a team and morale is high. All groups of children, including those who are disadvantaged and with special educational needs and /or disabilities (SEND), make strong gains in their learning. This is the result of g...ood-quality teaching across the school.

Although non-statutory, attendance rates have improved dramatically since the last inspection. This reflects children's enjoyment of attending the school. Virtually all parents and carers are very supportive of the school's work.

Typical comments include, 'Since the new headteacher took over, the changes I have seen in the school have been dramatic.' Keeping children safe is a central aspect of the school's work. Children feel and are safe.

Overall, standards of behaviour across the school are good. However, on occasions, staff do not make their expectations of behaviour clear. As a result, low-level disruption occurs which has a negative impact on learning.

Learning at the school is active and fun. Children enjoy an interesting range of activities which appeal to their interests. However, at times, staff's expectations of children's abilities are not high enough and they do not develop children's language and mathematical skills effectively.

The curriculum is broad and balanced and covers all areas of children's learning. Children's spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is promoted successfully. British values are woven through all aspects of the school's work.

Some staff do not consistently use questioning which probes and deepens children's learning. A watchful eye is kept on the quality of teaching across the school. However, the feedback given to teachers after observations of their practice does not focus sharply enough on what children have learned.

There is strong capacity within the school for continuous improvement and an enthusiasm and determination to do so.

Information about this school

Longshaw Nursery School is an averaged-sized nursery school. Most children are of White British heritage, although the proportion of children from minority ethnic backgrounds in increasing.

Children start at the school at various times throughout the year and attend on a full- and part-time basis. The school has provision for two-year-olds. The proportion of disadvantaged children is above the national average.

The proportion of children with SEND is below the national average. The headteacher of Longshaw Infant School became executive headteacher of both schools in 2018. An IEB was appointed by the Secretary of State for Education on 1 March 2018.

Also at this postcode