Stanley Grove Primary Academy is a larger-than-average primary school located in Longsight, Greater Manchester. The school serves a diverse population, with the majority of pupils coming from minority ethnic backgrounds, particularly Pakistani heritage. A significant number of students speak English as an additional language, and the school has a higher-than-average proportion of disadvantaged pupils receiving pupil premium funding. The leadership team has undergone significant changes since the last inspection, which has positively impacted the quality of education provided.
The overall effectiveness of the school is rated as good, with leadership and management also receiving a good rating. The head of school has demonstrated passionate and focused leadership, establishing a stable and effective leadership team. Leaders have implemented rapid improvements in teaching quality, resulting in a generally good standard of teaching and learning across the school. However, while the quality of teaching has improved, outcomes for pupils still require improvement, as some students do not achieve their full potential.
The school has prioritized the teaching of phonics, which has been identified as a strength. This focus has led to pupils acquiring essential skills for early reading. The teaching of reading is well-structured, and pupils enjoy using the school library, demonstrating a love for reading. However, there are concerns regarding the challenge provided to the most able pupils, who sometimes do not receive sufficient opportunities to excel. Writing skills are improving, but there are limited opportunities for extended writing across the curriculum, and some teachers do not maintain high expectations for handwriting, spelling, and punctuation.
The early years provision is rated as good, with children making good progress despite entering with skills below the typical level for their age. The leadership in early years is effective, and the environment is nurturing and well-resourced. However, there is room for improvement in utilizing the outdoor learning environment to enhance children's independent learning.
Pupils' personal development, behavior, and welfare are also rated as good. The school promotes a strong understanding of rights and respect, preparing pupils well for life in modern Britain. Relationships between pupils and staff are positive, contributing to a supportive learning environment. Pupils feel safe and are encouraged to express their views, which fosters a sense of belonging.
Governance is strong, with governors actively involved in the school community and committed to ensuring that pupils make strong progress. They possess a range of professional skills that they utilize to hold leaders accountable for their actions. The school has effective safeguarding arrangements in place, ensuring that pupils' welfare is prioritized.
Despite the overall positive aspects of the school, there are areas that require further attention. Leaders need to continue improving the quality of teaching and learning, particularly by ensuring that teachers have consistently high expectations for pupils' work and providing more opportunities for extended writing. Additionally, the challenge for the most able pupils must be enhanced to ensure they reach their full potential.
In summary, Stanley Grove Primary Academy is a good school with effective leadership and management, a strong focus on phonics and reading, and a commitment to pupils' personal development. While there are areas for improvement, particularly in outcomes for pupils and the challenge provided to the most able, the school is making significant strides in enhancing the quality of education for its diverse student body.
