Walton Peak Flying High Academy

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is an inadequate school The level of pupils' persistent absence is far too high. This is impeding the academic progress of pupils who do not attend regularly. Leaders have not ensured that teaching and learning have improved sufficiently or fast enough to help pupils catch up and to halt the decline in standards in key stage 2.

Until recently, the trust has been ineffective in supporting school improvement. Senior leaders have not informed the governing body effectively regarding the quality of teaching and pupils' achievements. Governors are therefore not able to hold leaders to account.

Senior leaders do not give subject leaders enough time to undertake... their roles. The progress made by pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) is too variable. Leaders do not ensure that all teachers have high expectations of pupils, or that the training teachers receive is effective.

The most and least able pupils do not make the progress of which they are capable. The curriculum is not planned well enough to meet their needs. Leaders have not ensured that the pupil premium funding is having the necessary impact in supporting disadvantaged pupils.

These pupils are not well prepared for secondary school. Leaders have not made sure that the small number of pupils who find it difficult to control their behaviour are supported well enough. Statutory paperwork regarding the exclusion of pupils is not completed.

Too many teachers do not plan learning well enough. Pupils sometimes do not understand what teachers want them to do. The school has the following strengths Leaders who were present at the inspection demonstrate the skills and expertise to help improve the school.

Good teaching in early years results in children getting off to a good start. The early years provision is well led. Better teaching in key stage 1 is leading to improved attainment by the end of Year 2.

Most pupils are polite, work well together and try their best to succeed. They have positive attitudes to learning.

Information about this school

Whitecotes Primary School is smaller than the average-sized primary school.

Approximately 80% of pupils are White British, with the remaining 20% made up from nine other ethnic groups. The proportion of disadvantaged pupils is well above the national average. The proportion of pupils with SEND is average.

A small number of these pupils have an education, health and care plan. In September 2016, Whitecotes Primary School became an academy and joined the Cavendish Learning Trust. This is the school's first inspection since becoming an academy.