Lower Peover CofE Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is an outstanding school.

Children enter the school with a range of skills that overall are similar to what could be expected for their age. They make excellent progress during their time in school and achieve standards that are consistently high by the time they leave Year 6. A high proportion attain the higher Level 5, or above, in both English and mathematics.

The school's excellent performance in the 2012 national tests has been praised in a letter from the Minister of State for Schools. Children in the reception class make excellent progress in developing language and social skills, though the development of mathematical skills is not quite as rapid ...for the more able children. Teaching is outstanding and pupils learn at an exceptional rate.

Lessons are very enjoyable and engaging so pupils are fully involved in their learning. Lessons are meticulously planned and build on pupils' existing skills. Pupils' behaviour and safety are excellent.

They show great enthusiasm and enjoyment in lessons and this makes a superb contribution to their learning. Pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is promoted exceptionally well. This enhances the harmonious atmosphere and an ethos of mutual respect in school.

The very rigorous management of teachers' performance by senior leaders, fully supported by the governing body, has been used very effectively to improve teaching and raise standards. Success in reaching challenging targets is reflected in the pay scales of staff. Not all middle leaders are fully involved in the process of monitoring and evaluating the quality of teaching and learning in lessons.

Governors are a regular presence in school. They provide well-informed support and challenge for senior leaders.

Information about this school

The school is slightly smaller than the average primary school, though numbers have increased since the last inspection.

All classes contain a single age-group. Almost all pupils are from a White British background. None of the small number of pupils from a minority ethnic background is at an early stage of learning English.

The proportion of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals is low as is the proportion of pupils eligible for the pupil premium. The pupil premium is additional funding for pupils who are known to be eligible for free school meals, children from service families and children that are looked after. The proportion of pupils supported through school action is below average.

The proportion of pupils supported at school action plus or with a statement of special educational needs is increasing and is now broadly average. The school meets the government's current floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress in English and mathematics. An independent breakfast and after-school club in school is inspected separately and the report is available on the Ofsted website.