Carleton Park Junior and Infant School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school Pontefract Carleton Park Junior and Infant School has improved rapidly. It continues to do so, under the highly effective leadership of the chief executive officer (CEO), trust leaders, the head of school and other leaders at the school.

Together, they have galvanised the school. Over the past 12 months, the head of school, supported ably by other leaders and staff, have worked together exceptionally well to improve the quality of education pupils experience. As a result, the school is a happy and welcoming environment where pupils benefit from outstanding personal development, behaviour and welfare and every opportunity to thrive.

The qu...ality of teaching, learning and assessment is good. Pupils benefit from a culture of high expectations and standards. Most teaching is enabling pupils to achieve well over time.

Pupils are highly engaged in their learning. They enjoy learning a variety of different topics and develop their knowledge and understanding. Strong relationships between staff and pupils are at the heart of the school's work.

Pupils' personal development and welfare are excellent. Pupils care for each other and take pride in their school. Pupils actively engage and support each other in their learning.

Pupils' behaviour is outstanding. Their strong levels of participation in learning are contributing to them achieving well over time. Despite historic variability in pupils' outcomes, current pupils in the school are achieving well.

Attainment and progress of pupils is rising across the school because of good teaching. However, some disadvantaged pupils and those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) lag behind their peers. Most teachers effectively support pupils in class.

However, there are times when pupils' misconceptions and misunderstandings are not tackled or challenged systematically. In most subjects, teachers are knowledgeable. Pupils benefit from a broad curriculum.

However, leaders acknowledge that teachers' subject knowledge in some areas is not sufficiently developed to maximise pupils' learning or provide opportunities for them to think deeper about topics.

Information about this school

The school is sponsored by the Pontefract Academies Trust. Leadership of the trust, alongside school leadership at Carleton Park, was completely replaced and reformed between April and July 2018.

The school is a smaller than average-sized primary school. The vast majority of pupils are White British. Few speak English as an additional language.

The proportion of pupils who attend the school and are eligible for free school meals is below the national average. The proportion of pupils who have been identified as having SEND is broadly average. The school does not use any alternative provision for pupils.