Norbreck Primary Academy

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school. Norbreck Primary Academy is a good school.

It is a harmonious school community where high expectations are at the heart of its work. Pupils are very happy at the school because of good support and guidance. They are given positive and constructive support on how to improve their work.

The school is improving, led by a dedicated and committed headteacher. The progress of pupils is discussed fully by staff and, as a result, staff know their pupils well, and ensure that they are developing well across the school. Leaders have an accurate understanding of the school's strengths and areas for improvement.

The school governors assist ...the headteacher in ensuring that the school's procedures for managing the performance of staff are rigorous and increasingly challenging. The teaching of reading is a strength of the school, because of a focus on individual needs in this subject. The rates of progress in reading between Years 3 and 6 are above those found nationally, and pupils attain above average standards by the time they leave in Year 6.

The progress of pupils in mathematics and writing is good and, in the current Year 6, pupils are set to achieve above average standards in mathematics by the end of the year. For disadvantaged pupils, progress is more than that expected nationally. The care, support and guidance that pupils receive lead to spiritual, moral, social and cultural provision which is of a high standard.

Parents are very supportive. They are fulsome in the praise of staff, and appreciate all that the school does for their children. Behaviour is good.

There are high expectations to uphold good manners and respect for each other which staff, pupils and parents value. The school's efforts to ensure that children are safe are very successful. It is not yet an outstanding school because : Standards of writing in Key Stage 1 are not improving quickly enough.

There is not enough focus on accuracy and care. Older pupils do not always get enough opportunities to practise their skills in writing and so achieve higher standards. Some of the most able pupils do not progress as quickly as other pupils in the school.

This is because, at times, teaching does not sufficiently challenge them.

Information about this school

Norbreck Primary Academy converted to become an academy school on 1 September 2012. When its predecessor school, Norbreck Primary School, was last inspected by Ofsted, it was judged to be good overall.

The school is a larger than most primary schools. The proportion of pupils supported by the pupil premium is similar to that found nationally. The pupil premium is additional funding for those pupils who are known to be eligible for free school meals, and those who are looked after children.

The proportion of pupils with special education needs is broadly average. The vast majority of pupils are White British. Nine percent of the children are from different ethnic groups, mainly Chinese and Eastern European, and most of these speak English as an additional language.

The academy meets the government floor targets, which are the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress in reading, writing and mathematics by the end of Year 6. The school's headteacher is a local leader of education, and one of its senior leaders is a Specialist Leader of Education. The school is an alliance partner in the Fylde Coast Teaching School Alliance.

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