Parklands Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is an outstanding school The headteacher is an inspirational leader who lives and breathes Parklands Primary School.

His enthusiasm and ambition for pupils and the community are boundless. Governors are dedicated and loyal in their support of the school. Minutes of governing body meetings demonstrate a high level of challenge to school leaders, with continual focus on providing the best possible education.

The leadership team are gifted teachers who lead by example. They have robustly supported the headteacher in monitoring, evaluating and improving teaching across the school. Pupils' achievements are impressive.

Pupils, including those who are d...isadvantaged, make rapid progress as they move through the school. By Year 6, the progress pupils have made is above that seen nationally in writing and significantly above in reading and mathematics. Leaders have nurtured a teaching team that has total belief in the vision of the school and is keen to improve further.

Much teaching over time is outstanding. This is particularly the case in the teaching of mathematics. The work of all staff to involve parents and the community in the life of the school is exemplary.

As a result, trust and respect flow between pupils, parents and staff. Leaders and teachers are committed to providing the very best experiences for pupils, and together they are developing a curriculum that is tailored to meet the needs of pupils. Pupils who have special educational needs and/or disabilities make strong progress from their starting points because of well-chosen interventions and astute adult support.

Pupils are kind and considerate and demonstrate real understanding of the challenges faced by others; the school's work to ensure that pupils are well prepared for life in modern Britain is very effective. Pupils are very involved in decision making about issues that concern them in school. Pupils really enjoy school and this is reflected in very positive attitudes to learning.

Behaviour in lessons and around the school is excellent and pupils say that they feel very safe. Despite strong teaching, some boys in key stage 1 do not make the rapid progress they need, particularly in reading and writing. Children start at the school with abilities well below those typical for their age.

Teaching in early years is effective in developing children's confidence, and speaking and listening skills. However, activities do not always provide the challenge children need in order to secure early reading and writing skills.

Information about this school

Parklands Primary School is larger than an average-sized primary school.

The school is a demonstration school for the White Rose Maths Hub. The school won the 2017 Times Educational Supplement Business Collaboration Award for very effective partnership working with local businesses. A total of 72% of pupils are eligible for support through the pupil premium.

This is almost three times the average. The proportion of pupils who have special educational needs and/or disabilities is well above average. Half of all boys are receiving additional support for special educational needs and/or disabilities.

The school has a 14-place resourced provision for pupils who have severe learning difficulties. Their attainment and progress are included in the overall outcomes for the school. The proportion of pupils from White British backgrounds is 75%, and the next largest heritage represented is Black British African.

Mobility is above average. Up to a third of pupils join or leave the school during key stage 1. The school meets the government's current floor standards, which are the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment in English and mathematics.

Children in the Reception class attend full time. There is no nursery at the school. The school meets requirements on the publication of specified information on its website.

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