Ashley Down Primary School, located in Bristol, has been evaluated as a good school following its inspection in January 2019. The school has shown significant improvement since its last inspection, where it was rated outstanding. The current leadership has effectively addressed previous performance dips, resulting in pupils achieving above the national average by the end of key stage two. The governing body plays a crucial role in providing strong strategic leadership, holding school leaders accountable and ensuring that the school continues to progress.
Leadership within the school is well-distributed, with phase and middle leaders demonstrating a clear understanding of their roles and responsibilities. The self-evaluation conducted by leaders is accurate, and their action plans are focused on the right areas for improvement. This has led to good progress for pupils across various subjects, including English and mathematics. The quality of teaching is generally good, with many pupils leaving the school equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge for their age. However, there are instances where teaching does not sufficiently challenge all pupils, leading to some not achieving their full potential.
Pupils are exposed to a broad curriculum and are typically motivated and engaged in their learning. Teachers' assessments are mostly accurate, and instruction builds on what pupils already know. Nonetheless, there are occasions when teachers do not effectively check pupils' understanding, which can slow down learning. In the early years, teaching is also rated as good, with children forming positive relationships and making good progress from their starting points.
Despite the overall positive findings, the school faces challenges in supporting pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). The strategic leadership for these pupils needs strengthening to ensure that their teaching is tailored to their specific needs. Currently, the guidance provided by leaders regarding the impact of teaching for these pupils is not yet effective, which affects their progress.
Pupils enjoy attending school, with attendance rates consistently above the national average. The school has effective safeguarding measures in place, and administrative weaknesses identified during the inspection were promptly addressed. Feedback from parents is overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing their willingness to recommend the school.
To further improve, the school must focus on enhancing the leadership of provision and teaching for pupils with SEND, ensuring that their needs are met more effectively. Additionally, it is essential for teachers to fine-tune their assessments and adjust their teaching to provide adequate challenges for middle-attaining and most able pupils. Systematic checks on pupils' understanding should be implemented to address misconceptions promptly.
The leadership of the governing body has evolved, with a new chair and team providing strong strategic oversight. Their commitment to challenging the school has led to improvements in leadership structures and teaching quality. Governors actively monitor trends in pupil achievement and engage with local authority representatives to gain insights into the school's performance.
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with thorough checks in place for staff vetting. Staff are well-trained in safeguarding procedures and work closely with external agencies to support vulnerable pupils. The school’s curriculum effectively promotes pupils' personal development, helping them understand how to stay safe and become responsible citizens.
In summary, Ashley Down Primary School is a good school that has made commendable progress since its last inspection. While there are areas for improvement, particularly in supporting pupils with SEND and ensuring consistent teaching quality, the overall effectiveness of leadership, teaching, and pupil outcomes is strong. The school is well-positioned to continue its journey of improvement, with a dedicated leadership team and supportive governing body working collaboratively to enhance the educational experience for all pupils.
