Cold Norton Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is an outstanding school. All pupils make outstanding progress.

They learn well in all subjects and do much better than their peers nationally. The school promotes an enjoyment of reading and pupils read widely. Since the last inspection the gap between reading and writing has closed and pupils achieve well above the national average.

Reading, writing and numeracy skills are used confidently by pupils throughout the school. The Early Years Foundation Stage is outstanding and children make accelerated progress from their starting points, especially in language and communication. Teaching and learning are outstanding across the school.

Teachers set... high targets for their pupils so that pupils know how to improve their work. Teachers plan their lessons thoroughly and set work at the right level. Pupils really enjoy being at school and are given excellent opportunities to be involved in a variety of clubs and activities.

They are well cared for and benefit from a calm and nurturing environment. Pupils' outstanding behaviour contributes to the exceptionally good learning atmosphere. The excellent curriculum contributes to the mature and sensitive spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of the pupils.

The two headteachers are very effective and inspirational leaders and are supported by a committed and energetic staff. They share a wide range of expertise, which benefits the pupils and ensures that the school does very well. The governing body knows the school exceptionally well and shows outstanding support for the professional development of the teachers.

There are too few opportunities for teachers to observe and benefit from the outstanding practice current in the school.

Information about this school

Cold Norton is a smaller than the average-sized primary school. The proportion of disabled pupils and those with special educational needs, including those supported at school action, school action plus and with a statement of special educational needs, is broadly average.

The proportion of pupils known to be eligible for pupil premium funding is below the national average. At the time of the inspection the school had two headteachers, both of whom had been at the school for a number of years. The school meets the government's current floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for attainment and progress.