Berkeley Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school Skilled leaders have ensured that the school is improving at a rapid rate. Although outcomes require improvement, they are strengthening considerably.

The headteacher has established an ethos underpinned by respect for others and high aspirations. Consequently, staff and pupils alike endeavour to achieve their best. Senior leaders are accurate in pinpointing priorities for improvement.

They have successfully strengthened pupils' progress, particularly in mathematics and the early years. Leaders have high expectations for pupils' achievements. They acknowledge that pupils' outcomes in Year 6 in 2018 were not good enough.

They have... used their evaluations effectively to direct fast-paced improvements. Following improvements to the quality of teaching, pupils are making stronger progress in reading. However, leaders have not ensured that the books and texts pupils read are matched precisely to their needs.

The curriculum is broad and balanced. It supports pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development consistently. Governance is strong.

Governors use their knowledge, along with the detailed information leaders provide, to hold leaders to account effectively for pupils' outcomes. Teaching staff appreciate the professional development available to them, which has contributed to their strong subject knowledge. They habitually reflect on their effectiveness and use this to adapt their practice.

The promotion of pupils' personal development is a strength of the school. As a result, pupils are polite, sensible and considerate. They attend school regularly and show positive attitudes to learning.

Leadership and teaching in the early years are effective. Children make good progress in the nurturing environment adults create. However, opportunities for children to consolidate their skills independently in the outdoor areas are underdeveloped.

Middle leaders are passionate advocates for their areas of responsibility. However, the checks they make on teaching and learning do not delve deeply enough into the difference strategies are making to pupils' outcomes. Leaders have ensured that teaching is adapted appropriately for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).

However, leaders have only recently introduced a system to measure pupils' progress. Therefore, they are not able to evaluate accurately whether pupils are progressing well from their starting points.

Information about this school

Berkeley Primary School is approximately twice the size of an average-sized primary school.

It was formed in September 2016 when Berkeley Junior School amalgamated with Berkeley Infant School. The school has a Nursery for children from the age of three and a breakfast club for its pupils. The proportion of disadvantaged pupils is average.

Pupils come from eight different ethnic groups, the largest group being of White British heritage. Approximately a fifth of pupils speak English as an additional language, and this is in line with the national average. The proportion of pupils with SEND is just above average, and the proportion with an education, health and care plan is average.