George Spicer Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Key findings

This is a good school. Its main strengths are the strong teamwork of the senior leadership team to drive improvement, pupils' good achievement and behaviour.

It is not yet outstanding because there are inconsistencies in the quality of teaching, and because governors are not focused enough on holding the school to account for the impact of its work to improve pupils' learning. Pupils' achievement is good. Their attainment is above average by the end of Year 6 in English and mathematics because most pupils make good progress from their below average starting points.

Teaching is good. Most pupils understand clearly what they are expected to learn. Teachers use assessment well to adjust learning ...in lessons and this helps to develop effective pace and challenge to promote progress.

There are inconsistencies in the quality of teachers' use of questioning and introductions to lessons are sometimes overlong. Behaviour and safety are good. Pupils are eager to learn.

They behave well in lessons and around the school because of positive relationships between them and with staff. Pupils feel safe in school and know how to keep themselves safe. Attendance continues to improve and is above average.

Leadership and management are good. The headteacher's commitment to empowering leaders in the school, combined with clear and ambitious expectations, has built an effective team who have been able to improve the school's performance since the previous inspection, especially in mathematics. The governors support, and to some extent, challenge the school, but recognise that they should hold the school to account better with a sharper focus on evaluating the impact of its work to promote pupils' achievement.

Information about the school

George Spicer is a larger-than-average primary school. The largest group of pupils in the school are of White British heritage with the remaining pupils from a wide range of other ethnic groups. The proportion of pupils who speak English as an additional language is well above average.

The proportion of pupils who are known to be eligible for free school meals is above average. The proportion of pupils supported by school action plus or with a statement of special educational needs is above average. The number of pupils joining and leaving the school at times other than at the start of the year is above average.

In 2011, the school met the current government floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for attainment and progress. There is a breakfast and after-school club that is managed by the governing body. The school has achieved a number of national awards such as Investors in People, Basic Skills Quality Mark and Activemark.