Wistaston Academy

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is an outstanding school. Pupils of all abilities make excellent progress through the school in English, mathematics and many other subjects.

Standards are above average by time pupils leave school at the end of Year 6. Children in the Early Years Foundation Stage make an excellent start to their learning and are extremely well prepared for Year 1. The achievement of those pupils in receipt of the pupil premium is outstanding and they reach standards which are similar to their peers.

Disabled pupils and those with special educational needs also make excellent progress from their starting points. They work with confidence and independence. Pupils read wide...ly, write at length for many reasons and use information and communication technology (ICT) extremely well in many subjects.

The school is exploring ways to bring the already good library and information resources in the Key Stage 2 building to those in Key Stage 1. The quality of teaching is outstanding. Teachers and highly-skilled teaching assistants make learning exciting and memorable.

They inspire pupils to try hard and to think for themselves. Pupils' behaviour is exemplary and they feel safe. Their personal development and physical well-being is promoted extremely well through many high quality and challenging creative and sporting experiences.

The headteacher's persistent drive and ambition for the school is fully complemented by the highly committed senior and subject leaders and very effective governing body. As a result, all aspects of school life, particularly pupils' achievement and the quality of teaching, have improved very well since the last inspection and are well placed to continue to do so.

Information about this school

The school is larger than the average-sized primary school.

The large majority of pupils are from White British families. There is an increasing number of pupils from Eastern European families. The proportion of pupils who speak English as an additional language is below average.

The proportion of pupils who are known to be eligible for free school meals and receive the pupil premium is well above average. The pupil premium is additional funding for those pupils who are known to be eligible for free school meals, children from service families and those children who are looked after by the local authority. The proportion of pupils supported by school action is above average.

The proportion of pupils supported at school action plus or with a statement of special educational needs is well above average. A significant number of pupils join the school in different year groups other than Nursery or Reception Years. The school meets the government's current floor standards which set the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress in English and mathematics.