Dawley Brook Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school Since their appointments, the headteacher and deputy headteacher have rapidly addressed the key weaknesses that were in the school. Their highly effective actions have improved the school significantly over the last year. The governors have an incisive understanding of the school's strengths and where further improvements are still needed.

They are highly skilled and have been instrumental in providing stability to the school through some challenging periods. The overall quality of teaching and learning is now good. The majority of teachers plan carefully to meet pupils' learning needs.

However, on occasion, teachers do not challenge pupi...ls enough, which limits their progress, especially in mathematics. As a result of previous weak teaching, some pupils across key stage 2 have not made the progress they should in reading, writing and mathematics. While current pupils are now making better progress, with gaps in their learning closing, some pupils in key stage 2 continue to underachieve.

Outcomes at the end of key stage 1 improved last year. Parents recognise and appreciate the significant improvements in the school over the last year. They are now overwhelmingly supportive of the leadership and staff.

The English curriculum is carefully planned, and teachers build on pupils' prior learning, which is helping them to make better progress in reading and writing. However, teachers do not address basic mistakes in grammar, punctuation and spelling well enough so pupils repeat these mistakes. Middle leaders show a strong understanding of their areas of responsibility and have contributed well to school improvement.

They are continuing to develop these leadership skills. Children in the early years are confident and happy. The early years is led exceptionally well.

However, there remains considerable variability in the quality of teaching and learning so some children, especially the most able, do not make the progress they should. All staff promote pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development very well. The school is highly inclusive, and a strong community spirit permeates across the school.

Pupils show a great pride in their school and behave extremely well. They have a good understanding of how to keep safe. Leaders have redesigned the curriculum to develop learning in all subjects.

However, the plans are at an early stage of development and are yet to be fully implemented.

Information about this school

Since the last inspection, a new headteacher and deputy headteacher have been appointed. There have also been a significant number of changes to the teaching staff.

The local authority facilitated interim leadership support to the school from September 2016 until the appointment of the new leaders at Easter 2017. Dawley Brook Primary School is an average-sized school. The proportion of disadvantaged pupils is below average.

The proportion of pupils who speak English as an additional language is below average. The proportion of pupils who have SEN and/or disabilities is in line with the national average. The school runs a breakfast club for its pupils.