Harris Primary Academy Beckenham Green

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school. The quality of teaching has significantly improved since the previous inspection, and as a result all groups of pupils make good progress.

Standards in reading and mathematics are now above average at the end of Year 2. Teaching is typically good throughout the school. Teachers use questioning well to probe pupils' thinking skills.

All of the additional adults in the classrooms are very clear about their roles and support pupils' learning well. Children are safe and happy in the early years and they have fun with their learning. The school's policies and procedures to keep pupils safe are outstanding.

Pupils say and demonstrate ...that they feel very safe. Behaviour throughout the school is good. The school's work to develop pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is effective.

Parents and carers say that their children are happy and make good progress at the school. The focused work and determination of the headteacher, supported by a committed staff and governing body, have successfully improved teaching and pupils' achievement. It is not yet an outstanding school because: Standards in writing are not yet as strong as those in reading and mathematics.

It is too soon to see the impact of new initiatives to raise standards, particularly for the most able pupils. This is because these are not yet embedded throughout the school. Pupils' written work is not always consistently well presented.

School leaders do not always monitor the quality of marking of any external staff. Consequently, at times, pupils are not clear about how to improve their work.

Information about this school

The school is slightly smaller than the average-sized primary school.

There have been many changes to the staff. The deputy headteacher joined the school in April 2013. The governing body has reconstituted and reduced in size as a response to becoming a primary school.

The governing body has a newly elected Chair and Vice Chair. A significant number of pupils join and leave the school throughout the school year. The school was previously an infant school.

In September 2014, it expanded to become a primary school. There is currently one full-time reception class, three classes in Years 1 and 2, and one class in Year 3. There are no classes at present in Years 4 to 6.

Just over half of pupils come from minority ethnic backgrounds. This is above the national average. There is no principal group as this is constantly changing.

Almost a third of pupils are known to be eligible for the pupil premium. This is additional government funding provided to give extra support to those eligible for free school meals or children who are looked after. This proportion is slightly above the national average.

The proportion of disabled pupils and those with special educational needs is also slightly above the national average. The school received support from a headteacher who is a National Leader of Education and from a headteacher who is a Local Leader of Education. An external provider manages the school's breakfast club which was not part of this inspection.

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