Carr Lodge Academy

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school The principal, working closely with senior leaders and governors, provides good leadership. The leadership team is strong and ambitious, and determined that every child will succeed. Leaders know the school inside out.

They have pinpointed the right priorities for development and take decisive action to ensure the continual improvement of the school. Governors know the school well. They are ambitious and hold leaders to account well.

Equally, the trust has an accurate view of the school. Its well-directed efforts have re-energised leaders and helped to improve all aspects of the school. The quality of teaching, learning and assessment is ...good.

Developments in the quality of teaching have improved pupils' learning, particularly in mathematics. As a result, pupils make good progress and their attainment is above average at the end of Year 6. Children in the Nursery and Reception classes get off to a good start in their learning.

They are well taught and enjoy the stimulating activities on offer, so they are ready for the demands of Year 1. Leaders ensure that arrangements for safeguarding are good. Safeguarding procedures are given the highest priority and are understood by staff.

As a result, pupils feel safe and know help is always available. Pupils are courteous, considerate and keen to learn. They behave well in lessons and around the school.

This contributes to a harmonious atmosphere in the school. Even so, a small minority of pupils do not uphold high standards of conduct at breaktimes. Teachers generally assess pupils accurately and match tasks to differing abilities.

On occasion, tasks for the most able lack challenge. This slows their progress. The wider curriculum has been redeveloped to capture pupils' interests and it inspires pupils to want to know more.

Even so, the high standards expected in pupils' work in mathematics and English are not mirrored in other subjects. This lack of consistency sometimes hinders pupils' progress. Some middle leaders are new to their role.

They are keen and enthusiastic but their work is at an early stage and they have not had the opportunity to fully develop their key areas of responsibility and improve pupils' learning further.

Information about this school

The school is larger than the average-sized primary school. Carr Lodge opened as a sponsor-led academy on 1 September 2015 and is part of the Exceed Learning Partnership.

A local governing body serves the school. Pupils are taught in single year-group classes. The majority of pupils are of White British heritage.

Increasing numbers of pupils are from a range of minority ethnic backgrounds. A small proportion of pupils speak English as an additional language. The number of disadvantaged pupils supported by the pupil premium is below average.

The proportion of pupils who have support for SEND is below the national average. The proportion of pupils who have an education, health and care plan is smaller than average. The school provides out-of-school care in the form of breakfast and after-school clubs.