Knotty Ash Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Key Findings

This is a good school.

The school is not outstanding because teaching, while good, is not strong enough to ensure that pupils make outstanding progress. Senior leaders have recognised that there is a need to improve further pupils' achievement in writing and to strengthen leadership in the Early Years Foundation Stage. From starting points below average on entry to the Nursery class, pupils make consistently good progress through the school and leave Year 6 with skills which are above average.

Attainment is highest in reading. Achievement in writing has improved rapidly but remains a focus for the school. While pupils have targets for improving their writing and make good use of these in Engli...sh lessons, they do not apply these same targets with sufficient rigour when developing their writing skills in all their subjects.

.The quality of teaching is good. This was evident in lessons and when inspectors looked at pupils' work.

Assessment information is used effectively in most classes to plan learning and to ensure that the needs of all pupils are met, particularly the most able..Pupils' behaviour in lessons and around the school is good.

Their attitudes and behaviour make a positive contribution to their learning. Leadership is effective, fostering an inclusive and harmonious atmosphere where all pupils are happy and get on well with each other. Self-evaluation is accurate and, as a result, there has been rapid improvement in the progress of pupils in English.

The management of teachers' performance and the leadership of teaching are both good. At the time of the inspection, leadership in the Early Years Foundation Stage was in a state of transition. Children achieve well but assessment information systems are not always used effectively enough to provide an accurate picture of the progress of children in the Nursery and Reception classes.

Information about the school

This is an average-sized primary school. The proportion of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals is average. Most pupils are from a White British background with very few pupils from minority ethnic backgrounds and at an early stage of speaking English.

The proportion of disabled pupils or those with special educational needs is broadly average, with a higher than average proportion of pupils at school action plus or with a statement of special educational needs. The school is specifically resourced for pupils with hearing impairment and/or profound deafness. The school has achieved Healthy School status and holds the Basic Skills quality mark.

The school meets the current floor standard which sets the minimum attainment and progress standards set by the government. The leadership of the Early Years Foundation Stage is in a state of transition with no permanent leader in place at the time of the inspection. The headteacher has, very recently, taken temporary charge of the role.

Inspection grades: 1 is outstanding, 2 is good, 3 is satisfactory and 4 is inadequate Please turn to the glossary for a description of the grades and inspection terms

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