Armley Park Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is an inadequate school The quality of education pupils receive has deteriorated significantly since the last inspection in 2014.

Although urgent remedial work has started recently, the school's overall effectiveness is inadequate. The school is overly reliant on external support. There is only very limited capacity from within the school to secure the significant improvements required to ensure that pupils' outcomes improve.

Teachers do not assess pupils' learning effectively or have a thorough understanding of pupils' starting points or additional needs. Lessons are often undemanding and do not meet the needs of pupils, particularly disadvantaged pupils... and pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Pupils' attendance has improved markedly in the last few months.

However, pupils' poor attendance over time continues to have a negative impact on their learning as they endeavour to catch up. The curriculum does not cover the full range of national curriculum subjects in enough depth. Pupils rarely have the opportunity to learn new knowledge or develop their understanding of subjects such as geography and history.

Provision for personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education is limited. Governance is weak. Over time, governors have not held leaders to account or fulfilled their statutory duties well enough.

Pupils' behaviour in and around school has improved recently. However, a small minority of pupils continue to display poor attitudes to learning. Pupils are not well prepared for the next stage of their education.

In 2018, the progress made by Year 6 pupils placed the school in the bottom 10% of schools nationally in reading, writing and mathematics. The school has the following strengths The interim headteacher and supporting headteacher from another school provide purposeful leadership. Together they are beginning to address the many shortfalls in the school's performance.

Children in Reception are making stronger progress than in the Nursery and key stages 1 and 2. Teaching here is focused and effective assessment ensures that teachers in Reception plan effectively to meet children's needs.

Information about this school

The school is smaller than the average-sized primary school.

The interim headteacher was appointed in December 2018. He is supported for two days each week by the headteacher from Swarcliffe Primary School, Leeds. The proportion of pupils who are disadvantaged and receive support through the pupil premium funding is significantly higher than the national average.

The proportion of pupils who speak English as an additional language is above average. The school is in the top 20% of all schools for the proportion of pupils in attendance with SEND. The school uses ABC at Summerfield Primary and Oasis at Swinnow Primary as alternative education providers for three pupils.