Acton Church of England Primary Academy

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Key Findings

This is an outstanding school.

A sharp rise in achievement since the last inspection has happened because the quality of teaching has risen to outstanding. Pupils' behaviour is outstanding and they have extremely positive relationships with each other and with staff. They feel very safe and secure in school, greatly enjoy learning and are keen to succeed.

Their spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is excellent. All boys and girls make outstanding progress and achieve outstandingly well. Boys tend to reach higher standards than girls in mathematics, although girls' attainment in the subject is nonetheless well-above average.

Similarly, girls often outdo boys in English, al...though this gap has closed recently because : changes to the curriculum are engaging boys' interest much more effectively. Teachers are very skilled at using the good curriculum to engage and enthuse pupils in their learning. They make excellent use of the school's much-improved assessment systems to ensure that work is matched to pupils' specific needs.

Children get off to an excellent start in the Reception class. They make great strides in their learning due to the outstanding provision. Excellent leadership and management underpin the vast improvements made.

Initially driven by the clear vision of the headteacher, this drive is now shared by a strong senior leadership team and a knowledgeable governing body. The rigorous monitoring of teaching and an insistence on high expectations, backed by clear challenge and support to colleagues, have successfully raised the quality of teaching and learning to outstanding. The extremely thorough and detailed tracking of pupils' progress, as individuals and as groups, ensures that no-one is allowed to fall behind.

This is particularly effective in ensuring that disabled pupils and those with special educational needs also make excellent progress. Attendance has risen from average to high over the last few years.

Information about the school

This is a small primary school in a rural location.

The vast majority of pupils are White British, with a few from a range of other ethnic heritages. The proportion of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals is below average. The proportion of disabled pupils and those with special educational needs is also below average.

No pupils speak English as an additional language. The school meets the current floor standard. Since the last inspection, the number of pupils on roll has grown.

There are now separate classes for each age group, except in Years 4 and 5. There has been significant staffing change in the last six months for a variety of reasons beyond the school's control. The school runs a breakfast and after-school club on a daily basis for its own pupils.

Inspection grades: 1 is outstanding, 2 is good, 3 is satisfactory and 4 is inadequate Please turn to the glossary for a description of the grades and inspection terms