East Rainton Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school.

Children start school with skills that are below what is typical for their age. They get a good start in the Early Years Foundation Stage, as they settle quickly into this caring school and make good progress. Pupils continue to make good progress across the school.

By the time they leave Year 6 they reach standards that are broadly average overall and above average in mathematics. Teaching is good. Teachers are adept at questioning pupils and they plan well to meet their needs.

Teachers have very good relationships with pupils. As a result, they respond well to teachers during lessons. Support staff work well with pupils both i...n and out of lessons.

They assist well pupils with specific needs. Support for the teaching of reading is particularly strong. It has had a positive impact on pupils' reading skills.

Pupils' behaviour is good. Pupils enjoy coming to school and attendance is improving. They also take responsibility around the school and contribute well to its day-to-day running.

Pupils have a good understanding of keeping safe in varying situations and of different types of bullying. The headteacher has high expectations and is ambitious for the pupils in the school. She is well supported by all staff.

The quality of teaching has improved and standards in mathematics have risen. Staff are keen to improve even further. Governors have a wide range of skills.

They manage the school's finances well and are very knowledgeable about how the school is doing. They know its strengths and the areas where it needs to improve. They regularly check on the school's work including the quality of teaching.

It is not yet an outstanding school because : Teaching is not yet outstanding as pupils are not given opportunities to work on tasks that enable them to develop independence. Pupils do not have enough occasions to check on their own learning and progress. Standards in writing are not high enough.

Pupils have weak handwriting skills and a lack of opportunities to write in other subjects. Marking does not always indicate to pupils the precise requirements for different types of writing.

Information about this school

The school is smaller in size than an average-sized primary school.

An average proportion of pupils are known to be eligible for the pupil premium. (This is additional funding for those pupils who are known to be eligible for free school meals, children from service families and those children who are looked after.) A below-average proportion of pupils are supported at school action.

An average proportion of pupils are supported at school action plus or have a statement of special educational needs. The majority of pupils are of White British heritage. The school has achieved the Healthy Schools, Basic Skills Quality Mark and International Dimension Silver Awards.

The school meets the government's current floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress in English and mathematics. The Early Years Foundation Stage is currently taught in one class which includes Nursery and Reception children. The school has before- and after-school care, managed by the governing body.