Chandos Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school Leaders have an accurate understanding of the school's strengths and weaknesses.

They work well as a united team and receive good levels of support from the multi-academy trust (MAT). Governors are knowledgeable and ask leaders probing questions to evaluate progress towards the school's priorities. Governors and school leaders value the high-quality support they receive from their sponsor, The Elliott Foundation Academies Trust (TEFAT).

Leaders are building on recent improvements in teaching and pupils' progress to ensure that standards continue to improve at the end of key stages 1 and 2. The curriculum provides some exciting and engagin...g opportunities for pupils in particular in music and sport. However, pupils have little exposure to some subjects, such as learning a modern foreign language.

This reduces their ability and skill in these areas. The quality of teaching has improved. It is now good.

Gaps in pupils' knowledge, skills and understanding are being identified and activities planned accordingly. Teaching in mathematics is particularly strong. On occasion, some activities lack challenge, especially for the most able pupils.

This restricts pupils' progress. Sometimes, teachers and support staff do not intervene quickly enough to pick up and address errors in pupils' work, particularly in writing. The teaching of phonics is effective in providing pupils with early reading skills.

Pupils use their knowledge to read unfamiliar words successfully. Pupils behave well in class and around the school. They are courteous and polite.

They have good attitudes to learning and are keen to do their best. Most pupils attend school regularly and are punctual to lessons. Leaders monitor, track and follow up persistent absence rigorously.

Pupils' outcomes are below where they should be for their age. Attainment at the end of Year 2 and Year 6 in 2018 was below the national average. Attainment for current pupils is also low in some year groups, especially for disadvantaged pupils.

Children get off to a good start in the early years. Effective teaching and leadership ensure that children make good progress. Pupils are well cared for.

They enjoy school and feel safe. Safeguarding procedures are effective.

Information about this school

Chandos Primary School converted to academy status in February 2017.

This is the school's first inspection since conversion. It is one of the 28 academies that are part of The Elliot Foundation Academies Trust. The same headteacher was in post prior to the school joining the trust.

The board of trustees has oversight of all academies within the trust and overall legal responsibility for each school. They are also responsible for the quality of education provided by the school, governance, finance and human resources. The board delegate some areas of responsibility to the local governing body, for example curriculum, safeguarding and pupil premium.

This school is larger than the average-sized primary school. It is in an area of high deprivation. Pupils come from a wide range of ethnic backgrounds.

A high proportion speak English as an additional language. The school receives additional funding through the pupil premium funding for a higher- than-average proportion of disadvantaged pupils. The proportion of pupils with SEND is above average.

The proportion of pupils supported with an education, health and care plan is below average. The school provides full-time and part-time places for children in the Nursery class. The school runs a breakfast club before school.