Stonehill School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school The headteacher is a very effective leader.

She has established a successful team and together they have brought about rapid improvements. As a result, the quality of teaching is now good. The governing body is a strength of the school.

Governors are skilled in supporting the school's leaders. They hold them to account diligently for how well pupils are doing. Leaders at all levels are ambitious for the pupils at the school.

They demonstrate relentless determination and high expectations. Consequently, the school has made significant improvement since the previous inspection. Pupils make good progress throughout the school.
<...br/>From starting points below what is typical, by the time pupils reach Year 6, their attainment compares well with that of other pupils nationally. Pupils behave well. They understand the rules and follow them in classrooms and on the playground.

Pupils enjoy school and show good attitudes to their learning. Teachers are effective in their roles. They ensure that lessons are typically interesting, well organised, calm and purposeful.

Pupils enjoy lessons and approach learning with enthusiasm. Parents, carers and staff are rightly positive about the school. They correctly recognise that the school is well led and managed.

Pupils' personal development and welfare are promoted very effectively. There is a strong sense of community in the school. Pupils contribute to the positive atmosphere by looking out for each other and acting responsibly.

The early years classes provide children with a good start to their education. Staff focus well on helping children to develop good communication and language skills in readiness for Year 1. A small amount of weaker teaching remains in key stage 1.

As a result, some pupils make slower progress than they should. Leaders are rightly focused on developing pupils' writing skills. Currently, pupils are not given sufficient opportunities to write at length throughout the school.

Some of the most able pupils are not achieving as much as they could. As a result, a smaller proportion of pupils than nationally are attaining greater depth in writing.

Information about this school

Stonehill Primary School is smaller than the average-sized primary school, with one form of entry.

There is a before-school club that operates on the school site. This is managed by the school's governing body. The school meets the government's current floor standards.

These are the minimum standards, set by the government, for pupils' progress and attainment. Approximately a quarter of pupils receive support for a special educational need, which is double the national average. The proportion of pupils with a statement of special educational needs and/or an education, health and care plan is broadly in line with the national average.

Most pupils are of White British origin. A lower than average proportion of pupils are believed to speak English as an additional language. Approximately a third of pupils have been eligible for free school meals at some point over the past six years.