St Bartholomew’s Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School is located on Strawberry Lane, Tong Road, Armley, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS12 1SF. The school serves a diverse community with a significant number of pupils from various ethnic backgrounds. A high percentage of pupils are eligible for the pupil premium, indicating a greater need for additional support.
The school was inspected on July 10-11, 2019, and received an overall effectiveness rating of Good. This reflects the consistent quality of education provided, alongside effective leadership and management. The school has shown notable progress since its previous inspection, where it was rated Outstanding.
The leadership team, including the acting headteacher and governors, has effectively addressed various challenges and established a strong culture of support and accountability. Teaching across the school is consistently good, with staff demonstrating strong subject knowledge. Lessons are engaging, and teachers effectively use questioning to stimulate critical thinking. However, there is room for improvement in phonics instruction and the matching of reading materials to pupils' phonics knowledge.
Pupils exhibit positive attitudes towards learning and are well-behaved. The school promotes a strong sense of community and inclusivity, preparing pupils for life in modern Britain. Safeguarding measures in place are robust, ensuring that pupils feel safe and supported. Pupils make good progress from their starting points, particularly in reading, writing, and mathematics. However, attainment levels at the end of key stages remain below national averages, especially in early years and key stage 1. The school is actively working to improve these outcomes.
The early years provision is well-organized, with staff providing a nurturing environment that fosters social skills and independence. Although the proportion of children achieving a good level of development is below the national average, improvements have been noted over time.
To enhance the quality of education further, the school aims to continue improving pupils’ progress in reading, writing, and mathematics, enhance the quality of phonics teaching, develop assessment practices across the wider curriculum, and implement strategies to improve overall attendance.
In conclusion, St Bartholomew’s CofE Voluntary Controlled Primary School is committed to providing a high-quality education that meets the diverse needs of its pupils. With strong leadership, effective teaching, and a supportive community, the school is well-positioned to continue its journey of improvement and success. The focus on personal development and welfare ensures that pupils not only achieve academically but also grow as responsible and engaged members of society.
