Gorsefield Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school Since Forward As One Church of England Academy Trust started working with Gorsefield Primary School, leaders have made many improvements to the quality of education that pupils receive. Standards are rising and most pupils make good progress throughout the school.

The principal has successfully built a strong staff team whose members are committed to improving pupils' outcomes. Most middle leaders are relatively new to their roles. They are driving improvements in their areas of responsibility and this is raising standards across subjects.

Pupils' strong progress is the result of good teaching. Lessons are well planned and many include a ...rich variety of activities. Arrangements to check how well pupils are learning are robust.

Children make a positive start to learning in early years. Effective teaching and support ensure that children make accelerated gains in their skills and knowledge from starting points that are broadly below those typical for their age. The youngest children are confident and enjoy school and are well prepared for Year 1.

Reading is improving. Phonics is taught effectively and pupils enjoy their guided reading sessions. However, achievement in reading at key stage 2 is variable.

The curriculum is good and ensures that all aspects of pupils' personal development are provided for. The support for vulnerable pupils and those who have special educational needs (SEN) and/or disabilities is highly effective and nurturing. As a result, they make good progress.

Disadvantaged pupils make good progress. Effective use of the pupil premium funding means that disadvantaged pupils are effectively supported to achieve well. Expectations of what the most able pupils can do are sometimes too low.

This is evident at key stage 2, where the most able pupils do not always achieve as well as they should. Members of the local advisory board are fully committed to improving the quality of education. Governors are effective and hold leaders to account for pupils' achievement.

Information about this school

Gorsefield Primary School is larger than the average-sized primary school and converted to an academy in April 2015. The school is part of the Forward As One Church of England Academy Trust. The proportion of pupils known to be eligible for the pupil premium is well above the national average.

The proportion of pupils from minority ethnic backgrounds is below the national average, as is the proportion of pupils who speak English as an additional language. The proportion of pupils who receive SEN support, or who have a statement of special educational needs or an education, health and care plan, is in line with the national average. The school meets the government's current floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress by the end of key stage 2.