Painters Ash Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school The school has improved since its last inspection. The headteacher, senior leaders and governors have taken effective action to tackle the issues that required further development. The headteacher provides good leadership.

All leaders and staff share her ambition and determination to provide the best possible learning experiences for pupils. As a result, the quality of teaching and learning, pupils' outcomes and behaviour are now good. Effective teaching, learning and assessment ensure that all groups of pupils, including disadvantaged pupils, those who have special educational needs and/or disabilities and those who speak English as an additional... language, generally make good progress.

Occasionally, teachers do not challenge pupils sufficiently to ensure that they achieve a greater depth in their learning and so standards are not as high as they could be. Pupils develop fluency in mathematics and mental arithmetic skills but have not developed good enough skills in problem-solving and reasoning mathematically. Expectations for standards in pupils' writing in other subjects are not always as high as they are in English work.

Pupils are a credit to the school. They behave well and have good attitudes to learning. They are friendly, polite and respectful of adults and each other.

They feel safe in school and trust adults to deal with any problems should they arise. Good leadership in the early years ensures that children get a good start to school. They make good progress from their starting points and are well prepared to continue learning in Year 1.

Pupils' attendance remains below average despite the best efforts of leaders. Too many pupils are late for school in the morning. There is a strong leadership team, which has been instrumental in forging school improvement.

Some middle leaders have yet to have a full impact on the quality of teaching and learning and outcomes in their subjects, particularly in tracking progression in skills and pupils' achievement. Governors know the school well and ensure that leaders are held to account effectively for the school's performance. One parent expressed the views of many with the comment, 'I would recommend this school to all parents looking for a bright, happy place for their children to learn.'



Information about this school

Painters Ash is larger than the average-sized primary school. There are two classes in each year group. There is provision for the early years in two Reception classes which children attend full time.

The large majority of pupils are of White British heritage. The next largest groups are from Indian or Eastern European backgrounds. The proportion of pupils who speak English as an additional language is above average.

Currently, only a few of this group are new to English or at the early stage of English language acquisition. The proportion of pupils who have special educational needs and/or disabilities is below average. The proportion of pupils supported through the pupil premium funding is above average.

The school meets the government's current floor standards, which are the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress in reading, writing and mathematics. The school provides a daily breakfast club and after-school club. The school meets requirements on the publication of specified information on its website.