The Canterbury Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Key findings

This is a good school.

Senior leaders have secured rapid improvements over the last three years and there is a shared determination to drive improvement further. A creative and innovative approach to school development, including a strong partnership with the high school, has been successful in raising expectations and in securing a year-on-year improvement in pupils' achievement so that pupils now achieve well. One parent commented, 'We have seen the school go from strength to strength.'

The school is not yet outstanding because there are some inconsistencies in the quality of teaching across the school. As a result, there is slight unevenness in pupils' progress. Pupils' achievement is good....

Most pupils make good progress from their starting points. Pupils' attainment in reading, writing and mathematics has improved and is broadly in line with national averages by the end of Key Stage 2. Teaching is good overall and sometimes outstanding.

Typically, teachers are confident in their subject knowledge and plan well-paced lessons which enthuse and motivate pupils. In the minority of lessons where teaching is less effective, learning is not matched accurately to the needs of all pupils, particularly the more able, so that progress is not maximised. Pupils' behaviour is good and pupils feel very safe in school.

They demonstrate respect for adults and want to do well. Improved attendance rates reflect pupils' enjoyment of school. Senior leaders, including the board of directors, have a thorough understanding of the school's strengths and development needs.

Self-evaluation procedures are robust. There is a strong focus on teaching and learning. The management of teachers' performance is very successfully combined with professional development which is tailored to school development priorities.

Consequently, the quality of teaching has improved.

Information about the school

The Canterbury Primary School is a smaller than average primary school. The proportion of pupils who are from minority ethnic backgrounds is below the national average, as is the proportion of pupils who speak English as an additional language.

The proportion of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals is above the national average. The proportion of disabled pupils and those with special educational needs, supported by school action plus or with a statement of special educational needs, is above average. Due to the increasing popularity of the school, the proportion of pupils who join or leave the school other than at expected times is above the national average.

The school converted to academy status in October 2010 and occupies The Canterbury Campus with The Canterbury High School, as well as a range of privately-run and local authority funded facilities. Awards achieved by the school include Healthy Schools and Artsmark Gold in 2012. The school meets the government's floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress.

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