Barrow URC Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is an outstanding school.

The school inspires pupils to thrive in all aspects of their academic achievement and personal development. Pupils of all ages are highly motivated and high levels of attainment are embedded. Pupils achieve well.

The proportions of pupils making the expected and better than expected rates of progress are higher than those found nationally. Teaching is outstanding. Teachers and teaching assistants work extremely well together in ensuring that lessons are exceptionally well planned to meet the needs of every pupil.

The pace of learning in lessons is rapid and there is a wide range of activities to capture the imaginations ...of pupils. Adults regularly check on pupils' understanding of how well they are progressing and what they need to do to improve their work further. Pupils clearly enjoy reading and find topic work inspiring.

Occasionally within topics, pupils do not have enough choice about areas that they would like to explore or time to find out things for themselves. There is a wide range of visitors to the school. Together with trips and visits, these enhance pupils' personal development.

From an early age, children enjoy school and are keen to learn. Pupils' behaviour in lessons and around school is often exemplary. They show a great deal of respect towards each other and to the adults around them.

Pupils willingly contribute to the school community, as seen by the work of the school council. They are keen to help those less fortunate than themselves by organising fund-raising activities. Throughout the school there is a supportive and caring ethos.

All staff, visitors and volunteers are dedicated to creating an exemplary environment. This contributes to pupils being extremely well prepared for the next stage in their education. Leadership and management are of the highest quality.

There are robust systems for checking how well pupils are progressing. These are closely linked to ensuring that teaching is exceptionally strong. Staff are held to account for the progress of individual pupils.

Appropriate opportunities are provided for staff to develop their skills further. The senior leaders and governing body work closely together to measure the impact of new initiatives. Governors provide an excellent balance of support and challenge for the school.

Information about this school

This is a smaller than average-sized primary school. Pupils are taught in four classes: Class 1 comprises Reception and some Year 1; Class 2 comprises some Year 1 with Year 2; Class 3 comprises Years 3 and 4; Class 4 comprises Years 5 and 6. Some pupils are taught in small groups or individually for part of the week, depending on their particular needs.

The proportion of pupils known to be eligible for the pupil premium is well below average. (The pupil premium is additional funding provided for those pupils who are known to be eligible for free school meals, children from services families and those children that are looked after.) Too few pupils in the school are known to be eligible for the pupil premium for it to be possible to make a statement about their overall levels of attainment.

The majority of pupils are from a White British heritage and all pupils speak English as their first language. The proportion of pupils supported through school action is well below average as is the proportion of pupils supported at school action plus or who have a statement of special educational needs. The school has Healthy School Status, Sport England Award, Investors in People Award and is a Development School for the National College of School Leadership.

Since the previous inspection there have been new staff appointed. Due to the increasing popularity of the school, an additional classroom is being built. The school meets the government's current floor standards, which are the minimum expected for pupils' attainment and progress.