Halfpenny Lane Junior Infant and Nursery School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school The head of school has worked successfully to raise expectations and create a culture where all pupils can thrive. Leaders, including those responsible for governance, are passionate about their school and share a united vision of securing high achievement for pupils.

The trust knows this school well. Effective support has helped the head of school to bring about rapid improvements to teaching and learning. Outcomes are good and improving, especially in mathematics.

The teaching of phonics is effective. Pupils enjoy books, and their comprehension skills are developing well. Teachers have developed a healthy culture of reading for pleasure....

Children in the early years get off to a flying start because provision is closely matched to their needs and interests. From below-average starting points, they make good progress and the large majority reach a good level of development by the end of the Reception Year. Staff know the pupils exceptionally well and relationships are strong.

This leads to happy pupils who feel safe and cared for. The quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good, but a little variability remains. Pupils make good progress in their writing, which is improving rapidly.

However, handwriting is inconsistent and a small number of pupils do not receive the support they need to write independently. The quality of pupils' writing varies in subjects other than English. Pupils access stimulating experiences in the wider curriculum but do not develop subject-specific knowledge and skills in some subjects in enough depth.

Pupils' behaviour in lessons and around school is good. On occasion, the management of playtime activities is less developed. Leaders at all levels have identified the right priorities for improvement.

However, written plans do not map out the improvement journey clearly enough.

Information about this school

Halfpenny Lane is larger than the average-sized primary school. It is part of the Pontefract Academies Trust.

The SPRB is a sub-committee of the trust board and provides support and challenge to the head of school (appointed September 2017). The vast majority of pupils are of White British heritage and the proportion of pupils who speak English as an additional language is below average. The proportion of disadvantaged pupils supported by the pupil premium is slightly lower than the national average.

The proportion of pupils with SEND is below the national average. The proportion of pupils who have an education, health and care plan is slightly above the national average. The school operates a breakfast club.