Greenside Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school. The executive headteacher has inspired her team to make significant improvements in the two years since the previous inspection. Pupils' progress is meticulously checked to make sure all are doing well.

Leaders and managers continually check the effectiveness of the teaching. As a result, teaching is consistently good, and some is outstanding in quality. Leaders' drive for excellence is seen in their readiness to give pupils responsibility for others.

This has a highly positive impact on pupils' behaviour. Governors work extremely effectively with leaders to improve pupils' achievement and well-being. They are highly involved in school l...ife and are as ambitious for excellence as its leaders.

Pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is second to none. They think deeply about important issues. They care about those less fortunate than themselves.

Pupils' behaviour reflects this thoughtfulness. Those from a wide range of heritages get on exceptionally well with one another. Pupils are eager to take responsibility for younger children.

The exemplary care the school takes of its pupils is recognised by parents, who speak extremely highly of its qualities. Teachers plan effectively for the needs of pupils, and use challenging questions to help them to think for themselves. Marking is strong in pupils' English and mathematics books.

They are clear about what to do to improve. Pupils throughout the school make good progress in their learning. The latest test results were up on those of 2013.

The most able pupils do well and make strong progress. Art is a strength of the school. This is reflected in the work in pupils' art folders and on display throughout the school.

Pupils are prepared exceptionally well for secondary school. The early years provision is good. Children learn well in the Nursery and Reception classes because : the activities are inviting and the adults are caring.

The outdoor play areas for Nursery and Reception children provide them with good chances to learn a range of skills. It is not yet an outstanding school because : Pupils' International Creative Baccalaureate (topic) books are not as carefully completed or thoroughly marked as their other books. As a result, pupils take less care and make slower progress in their learning than they could.

In the Nursery and Reception classes, questioning does not always challenge the children to think things out for themselves and to give full answers.

Information about this school

Greenside is a little smaller than the average-sized primary school. The executive headteacher divides her time between Greenside and providing support to a secondary school, in a different local authority.

The school has applied to convert to academy status. This is expected to take effect very soon. In addition to teaching English and mathematics, the school follows the ICB.

This is a programme designed to provide links between topics and subjects, such as science, history and geography. The proportion of disadvantaged pupils eligible for the pupil premium is above average. This additional government funding is used to support pupils who are known to be eligible for free school meals and children who are looked after by the local authority.

The proportion of pupils from minority ethnic heritages is higher than average. Pupils come from a wide range of backgrounds, with no one group predominating. The proportion of pupils who speak English as an additional language is higher than average.

The proportion of pupils who receive extra help in class (school action) is higher than average. The proportion who need more help than this (school action plus) or who have a statement of special educational needs is lower than average. The school meets the government's current floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress.