Mount Pellon Primary Academy

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school Trust and school leaders have brought about a rapid increase in pupils' attainment at all key stages. The principal, senior leaders and trust leaders have worked together effectively to improve the quality of leadership and management and of teaching.

Accurate self-evaluation and strong systems of accountability have led to effective action. Whole-school and trust approaches to teaching and learning have created a positive culture for learning in classrooms. School and trust professional development has led to consistency in the teaching and assessment of reading, writing and mathematics.

The effective teaching of writing enables pupils t...o write at length in their own words and with a good standard of presentation. In mathematics, teachers' good use of resources helps pupils to develop their understanding of mathematical concepts and methods. Effective teaching strategies and a good range of books encourage pupils to read for a purpose and for pleasure.

Pupils behave well. They have positive attitudes to learning. They cooperate with each other and staff.

Pupils dress smartly. Attendance is good. At the last inspection attainment was low.

In 2018, attainment was much closer to the national averages in the early years, at key stage 1 and key stage 2. Pupils are making good progress at all key stages. Effective leadership and teaching in the early years promote children's development well.

The outdoor areas are underdeveloped. In a few classes, teaching, learning and assessment are not consistently good. The quality of support for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) is inconsistent due to past weaknesses in leadership and management.

The framework for teaching subjects other than English and mathematics does not give effective enough guidance for developing pupils' subject skills and knowledge in the wider curriculum.

Information about this school

The school is larger than the average-sized primary school. The proportion of pupils supported by the pupil premium is well above average.

The proportion of pupils who speak English as an additional language is high. The proportion of pupils with SEND is above average. A higher-than-average proportion of pupils arrive or leave the school at other than the normal times.

A significant minority have not been at the school for the whole of the key stage. The number on roll has fallen in recent years. The school offers all children in Nursery a full-time place.

There is a high take-up by parents. The school provides a breakfast club. The school is a member of the Northern Education Trust.

The board of trustees has a chief executive officer who leads the trust. The trust board is the responsible body. The governors on the school's academy council act in an advisory capacity.