Timbercroft Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school.

The focus on school improvement has had an impact, particularly in raising pupils' attainment since the previous inspection. Progress is particularly strong in reading and mathematics. Teaching is typically good because it promotes strong relationships with pupils and high expectations of their learning.

Teachers use long-term checks on pupils' progress to plan exciting activities relevant to their needs in most cases. Pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is strong and as a result they get on well with and respect each other. Pupils are enthusiastic learners.

They know how to keep safe, care for each other a...nd have no concerns about bullying. Senior leaders guide the school well because : they know clearly what needs to be done. A clear focus on improving pupils' achievement and teaching has led to the school's improved effectiveness since the previous inspection.

Governors use their thorough understanding of the school's strengths and areas for development to ensure that senior leaders are not complacent about possible future improvement. It is not yet an outstanding school because : Standards in writing are not always high enough because pupils do not use letters and the sounds they make (called phonics) as well as they do in reading and this affects their ability to spell accurately. Pupils in Years 1 and 2 do not always have the materials and resources they need to help them write more interesting sentences.

A very small proportion of teaching is not yet of the highest quality, as in some lessons the work set is either too easy or too difficult, which hinders the progress of some pupils. Occasionally, teaching in the Early Years Foundation Stage does not ensure that children fully understand what they are doing before they move on to other activities.

Information about this school

This is an above average sized primary school.

The school leadership team has an acting deputy headteacher who has recently been promoted from the post of assistant headteacher within the school. The proportion of pupils supported at school action, school action plus or with a statement of special educational needs is higher than most schools. Children in the Early Years Foundation Stage are taught within one unit called 'Oak' which consists of Nursery and Reception classes.

An above average proportion of pupils are eligible for additional national funding called the 'pupil premium'. The majority of pupils are of White British heritage, with those of African heritage making up the next largest group. The school meets current government floor standards, which set minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress.

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