Barlow Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school The executive headteacher leads with determination and has brought stability to the school. She has galvanised staff who share her high expectations for what pupils can achieve. Leaders have been relentless in addressing the previous areas for improvement.

As a result, the school is improving quickly and pupils are receiving a good education. The close working partnership with Chapel Haddlesey School is effective. The collaborative work has helped to share leadership roles across both schools.

As a consequence, this has improved the leadership of English and mathematics. Additionally, pupils have benefited from a broader curriculum and im...proved access to sports and visits. Governors have improved the way in which they work with the school.

They are more ambitious and hold leaders strongly to account. Teaching, learning and assessment are good across the school. Pupils rise to the challenge and high expectations set by their teachers.

Leaders have transformed the views of parents and carers. They are exceptionally positive about the work of the school. Children in the early years get off to a good start.

The transformation of the early years ensures that children are well prepared for the demands of key stage 1. Pupils behave well and have very positive attitudes to learning. They enjoy coming to school, which is reflected in their attendance being above the national average.

While pupils, especially the most able, enjoy solving knotty problems in mathematics, they do not use their mental calculation skills to solve these problems efficiently. Teachers place a high emphasis on pupils presenting their work neatly and accurately across the curriculum. However, pupils' writing stamina varies across the curriculum.

Although middle leaders have squarely improved the outcomes pupils achieve in reading, writing and mathematics, the leadership of other subjects is still developing. Pupils' understanding of different faiths and cultures is at an early stage of development. The curriculum provides few first-hand experiences to help pupils to gain a deeper understanding of multicultural Britain.

Information about this school

The school is considerably smaller than the average-sized primary school. Almost all pupils are of White British heritage. The proportion of pupils with SEND is similar to the national average.

The proportion of disadvantaged pupils, who are known to be eligible for support through the pupil premium funding, is below the national average The early years includes a Reception class where children attend full time. Pupils are taught in two classes. The school provides a breakfast club each morning for pupils.

There have been significant changes in staffing and leadership since the previous inspection. The new executive headteacher was appointed in May 2017 and all other members of staff have taken up post since the previous inspection. The school has joined in a federation with Chapel Haddlesey Primary School; the executive headteacher leads both schools.

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