Chaloner Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Main findings

This good school provides a warm and supportive environment in which pupils play and learn well.

This is successfully demonstrated in the good progress pupils make and in the good quality care, guidance and support they receive. Pupils have an outstanding understanding of how to adopt a healthy lifestyle. The majority of parents and carers recognise that their children enjoy school and learn well because they feel extremely safe and happy.

Comments such as, 'unbelievable help from the teachers and headteacher and 'teachers actively encourage interests' reflect the views of many and indicate a high regard for staff and the care they take of their children. The good behaviour of pupils and thei...r positive attitudes towards each other and to their teachers is underpinned by their very well-developed understanding of right and wrong and recognition that any action has consequences. Pupils make good progress overall from starting points which are generally below those expected nationally.

Attainment is rising and is now average by the end of Year 6. Although writing is average and improving, progress is not as rapid as in other subjects. Progress is satisfactory in a few lessons where the teaching is less challenging.

The assessment and tracking of pupils' learning is established and teachers have a good understanding of pupils' individual strengths and weaknesses. However, this information is not always used to full effect on a daily basis, to challenge all pupils at an individual level or to inform them of their next steps in learning. Although the quality of teaching is good overall, in a few satisfactory lessons fewer opportunities to learn collaboratively and through investigation limit opportunities for pupils to become independent learners.

Pupils display good attitudes to learning because of their positive relationships with teachers and other staff. They particularly enjoy the many new and varied experiences provided for them. The strong lead of the headteacher has enabled a greater distribution of roles and responsibilities increasing the involvement of others in the monitoring and evaluation of subjects and of outcomes for pupils.

The quality of teaching and learning is now good and this is reflected in rising attainment. A more interesting and varied curriculum contributes to the improving attainment. The school continues to address the need for higher attendance.

Although much has been done to develop community cohesion within the school and in the immediate locality, there are few links with those from other backgrounds and cultures. Self-evaluation clearly reflects good understanding of the successes and needs of the school. Development plans accurately identify actions for improvement supported by appropriate training for teachers and other staff.

Improvement since the last inspection is very evident and the school has a good capacity for sustained improvement.

Information about the school

This is a larger-than-average school where the proportion of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals is well above average. There are few pupils from minority ethnic groups or who speak English as an additional language.

The proportion of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities is above average. Few pupils hold a statement of special educational needs. Over the past year there have been a number of staffing changes.

Following the amalgamation of two schools in 2006, the 'new' school is now preparing to provide education for all pupils on the present Key Stage 2 site from September 2011. Building work to provide for younger children is in the final stages of completion and staff in Key Stage 1 and the Early Years Foundation Stage are preparing to move to their new classrooms. The school holds Healthy Schools status and the Anti-Bullying Charter for Action.