Thomas Arnold Primary School, Rowdowns Road

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school. Highly effective leadership has been the key to the school's rapid improvements during the last two years.

Children in Nursery and Reception make good progress in all areas of learning. In Years 1 to 6, all groups of pupils, including those supported by additional funding, are making good progress. Many pupils are making outstanding progress in mathematics.

Attainment by the end of Year 6 continues to rise and is now broadly average in reading and above average in mathematics. Teaching is securely good and there is evidence of outstanding practice. Pupils show an enthusiasm for learning and participate well in the activities provided..../>
The school has a very positive and welcoming atmosphere and promotes pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development well. Behaviour is good in lessons and around the school. At times, pupils' attitudes to learning and their behaviour are exemplary.

Attendance has risen to above average levels. Procedures to ensure pupils are safe are effective. Pupils say that they feel safe and are very well looked after by teachers and staff.

The headteacher and senior leaders show considerable ambition and determination in raising pupils' achievement and in improving teaching. Senior leaders are very well supported by middle leaders and staff in the drive to improve the school. Governors show a very clear understanding of the school's performance and provide a highly effective blend of challenge and support.

The school has gained the confidence of its parents and carers. Parents and carers are very pleased with the care and education provided. It is not yet an outstanding school because: Pupils' attainment and progress in writing trail behind those in reading and mathematics.

Pupils' handwriting, presentation and spelling are not consistently good. There are too few opportunities for pupils to apply writing skills in different subjects and topics.

Information about this school

This is a much larger than average-sized primary school.

About half of the pupils are White British. Other pupils are from a wide range of ethnic heritages with Black African being the next largest group. Nearly half of the pupil population speak English as an additional language but very few are at an early stage of learning English.

The proportion of disabled pupils and those who have special educational needs supported through school action is average. The proportion supported through school action plus or with a statement of special educational needs is below average. A well above average proportion of pupils are supported by the pupil premium, which provides additional funding for pupils in local authority care and those known to be eligible for free school meals.

The school meets the government's floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress in reading, writing and mathematics. The proportion of pupils who join or leave the school part-way through the year is much higher than average. The headteacher took up his post in April 2012.