Byker Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is an outstanding school Pupils.

outcomes from all ability groups are excellent. They make substantial progress from starting points that are typically below those which would be expected. Standards by Year 6 are above average.

Pupils. attitudes to learning are exemplary. They are eager to learn and keen to share their knowledge.

Pupils are rightly proud of their achievements and proud of their school. Pupils. superb spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is nurtured from the outset.

Pupils develop a strong sense of pride in their community and a strong sense of social responsibility, tolerance and respect. Parents are overwhe...lmingly positive about the school. They value the support given to their children and to them and know that their children are safe, cared for well and achieve highly.

Subject leaders have excellent subject knowledge. They inspire colleagues to try new ways of working and demonstrate the skills needed to ensure that there is continuous improvement in pupils. learning and progress.

Leaders ensure that pupils are provided with excellent opportunities to develop their literacy and numeracy skills at a rapid rate. Leaders are now working to ensure that pupils develop their skills in other curriculum subjects equally well. Highly effective teaching, and accurate assessment information, ensures that disadvantaged pupils make exceptionally strong progress from their varied starting points into school.

The high standard of teaching, learning and assessment ensures that no pupil is left behind. The headteacher is relentless in her drive to ensure that all pupils achieve their best. She has created a staff team who share, and deliver successfully, her ambition for all pupils to thrive academically and emotionally.

Governors ensure that school funding is spent wisely to reduce the gaps in attainment that exist when pupils start school. Leaders have a very accurate understanding of the school.s strengths and weaknesses.

They know that attendance could be even better. Action is being taken to address this. Support for pupils.

personal development and welfare is outstanding and extends to their wider families. It prepares pupils well for the lives they will lead in modern Britain. The early years leader has taken effective action to improve the quality of teaching and outcomes for children.

They are well prepared for Year 1, whatever their starting points. Arrangements to safeguard pupils are highly effective.

Information about this school

The school meets requirements on the publication of specified information on its website.

The school is larger than the average-sized primary school and has almost doubled in size since the previous inspection. Almost a third of the school.s population are from minority ethnic backgrounds and speak English as an additional language.

This is above the national average. The largest minority ethnic groups are of African heritage. The proportion of pupils who are disadvantaged is well above the national average and accounts for almost two thirds of the pupils in the school.

The proportion of pupils who have special educational needs and/or disabilities is also above the national average. The school meets the government.s floor standards, which sets the minimum expectation for pupils.

attainment and progress by the end of Year 6. The school provides both before- and after-school care. The school has extended its age range and now offers part-time provision for children from the age of two.