Herbert Strutt Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school.

Pupils' achievement is good. After a decline in attainment since the previous inspection, progress has accelerated over the last two years. Pupils now reach standards of attainment above the national average in English and mathematics.

Decisive steps taken by leaders to improve the quality of teaching are resulting in faster progress for all pupils. Progress is good in all year groups and in all subjects. Teaching is consistently good with some outstanding elements, such as the way teachers devise activities that engage the pupils' interest in acquiring fresh knowledge and learning well.

The outdoor provision for younger pupils ...has improved and this has led to enhancing their physical well being and consolidating their good progress. Improvements in the way subjects are linked together have enlivened the learning in lessons and made sure that learning activities are tailored precisely to meet all pupils' needs. Pupils' positive attitudes make a strong contribution to their effective learning in lessons.

They feel very safe in school and enjoy taking on responsibilities such as acting as buddy readers with younger pupils. The leadership and management of the school, including governance, are good. Extensive training has improved governors' ability to increase the pace of improvement.

The headteacher has very successfully motivated the staff to aspire to develop their practice even further. Robust checks on teaching, followed by intensive training and support, have helped teachers to improve the quality of their work. It is not yet an outstanding school because : Sometimes not enough time is given in lessons for pupils to reflect on their learning and address any misconceptions.

Teachers do not always provide sufficient opportunities for pupils to explore ideas for themselves and explain their thinking. Subject leaders are not involved fully in checking the teaching in their subjects.

Information about this school

Herbert Strutt Primary is a smaller-than-average sized primary school.

Pupils attend from the town and surrounding area. The Early Years Foundation Stage caters for Reception-aged children. There are two mixed-age classes in Years 3 and 4; there are single age classes in Years 1, 2, 5 and 6.

The vast majority of pupils are of White British heritage. The proportion of disabled pupils and those who have special educational needs supported through school action is below average. The proportion supported at school action plus or with a statement of special educational needs is broadly average.

The proportion of pupils known to be eligible for the pupil premium (additional government funding provided in this school for children known to be eligible for free school meals) is well above average. The school meets the government's current floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for attainment and progress in English and mathematics. The headteacher joined the school in September 2012.

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