Heasandford Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school The headteacher and deputy headteacher are effective leaders. They have been unrelenting in addressing the legacy of underachievement brought about by previously weak teaching.

As a result, current teaching, learning and assessment are much improved. The governing body knows the school well. Governors have the skills, experience and commitment to ensure that school improvement remains rapid.

Leaders ensure that there is a well-structured, engaging curriculum, which is broad and balanced. It enables current pupils to make strong progress across a range of subjects. Subject leaders and year-group leaders are developing their skills.
.../>However, they do not always monitor closely enough the achievement of pupils in each class in this large school. This leads to inconsistency in teaching and pupils' progress between some classes. Children in the Reception classes make good progress.

This is because of the good quality of teaching and the broad and exciting curriculum. Pupils make rapid progress in phonics in Year 1 and their results in the phonics screening check reflect those seen nationally. Historically, pupils' progress and attainment in mathematics and reading have been well below that seen nationally in key stage 2.

However, although still not as strong as they should be in some classes, current pupils' attainment and progress in reading, writing and mathematics are improving. In key stage 2, pupils who have special educational needs (SEN) and/or disabilities do not make sufficient progress. The pupil premium funding is used well to ensure that the welfare needs of disadvantaged pupils are addressed effectively.

However, in key stage 2, academically they have not caught up with their peers. The spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils is strong. Leaders ensure that there is a smooth transition for children into Reception and Year 1, and from Year 6 into secondary school.

Pupils feel safe in school. They value their education and demonstrate high aspirations for the future. They have a good understanding of, and respect for, equality and diversity.

Information about this school

This is an exceptionally large primary school. It is much larger than the average-sized school. The proportion of pupils receiving support for SEN and/or disabilities is below average.

The proportion of pupils supported with an education, health and care plan or with a statement of SEN and/or disabilities is average. The school receives additional funding through the pupil premium funding for a higher-than-average proportion of pupils. The vast majority of pupils are from minority ethnic groups and speak English as an additional language.

The school runs a breakfast club and offers a wide range of clubs during lunchtimes and after school. The school meets the government's current floor standards, which are the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress in reading, writing and mathematics by the end of Year 6. Since the previous inspection, a number of new staff have been appointed, including a new headteacher and deputy headteacher.