Witham St Hughs Academy

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is an outstanding school. Achievement is outstanding because all groups of pupils make rapid and consistent progress throughout the school and attain much higher standards in English and mathematics than average. Pupils are very well prepared for the next stage in their education.

Not only do they develop exceptionally strong academic skills but they also have outstanding personal qualities. Teaching is never less than good and much is outstanding. Teachers have very high expectations of their pupils and of themselves.

Lessons are very carefully planned to ensure all pupils do their very best work at all times. Pupils benefit from a wide range of exciting... activities in all subjects. They reach high standards in all subjects including art and history.

They also benefit from lessons in philosophy and enterprise skills. Attendance is high. Behaviour is exemplary and pupils take a pride in themselves and the school.

They feel safe, get on well with and care for each other. They have excellent attitudes to learning in all lessons. Outstanding leadership has ensured consistently high standards.

The headteacher has created a teaching team which includes all staff members, who work closely and effectively together to ensure pupils progress quickly. Many pupils make very rapid progress and achieve high standards in all subjects. They do particularly well in mathematics.

The headteacher is constantly looking for ways in which the school can improve even further. New initiatives are very well thought through and implemented consistently. Parents and carers are encouraged to become very involved in their child's education and are well informed about what their children learn in school.

Information about this school

This is an average-sized primary school. The proportion of pupils eligible for the pupil premium, which provides additional funding for looked after children and those known to be eligible for free school meals, is below average. The proportion of pupils who speak English as an additional language is below average.

There are fewer pupils from ethnic minority backgrounds than in most schools of this size. The proportion of pupils supported at school action is well below the national average but the proportion supported at school action plus or with a statement of special educational needs is average. The school has a breakfast club which is not managed by the governors.

The school meets the government's current floor standards which set the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress. Witham St Hughs Academy converted to become an academy school on 1 April 2012. When its previous school Witham St Hughs Primary was inspected it was judged to be good overall.

Also at this postcode