Black Combe Junior School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school The teaching of reading has greatly improved because of strategies that leaders have introduced.

However, some pupils do not make good progress. Most pupils make good progress in a range of other subjects, including writing and mathematics. The curriculum is broad and interesting.

It makes a strong contribution to pupils' development. Pupils who are disadvantaged or who have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) make good progress from their different starting points. Parents and carers are very happy with the quality of education the school provides.

Governors have a secure grasp of the school's strengths and area...s for development. They are effective in holding leaders to account. Teachers typically have strong subject knowledge and plan engaging lessons.

Pupils feel safe in the school. They know how to keep themselves safe when they are using the internet. Leaders have created a warm and inviting learning environment, which is well maintained.

Pupils typically show good conduct around the school, which contributes well to an orderly environment. In leaders' plans for improvement, the intended impact of their actions is sometimes not clearly linked to pupils' outcomes in a measurable way. Leaders have not fully implemented their recently refined assessment processes.

Occasionally, teachers do not provide work that challenges the most able in writing. The school's website is currently out of action and therefore contains none of the required information.

Information about this school

Black Combe Junior School is smaller than the average-sized primary school.

The proportion of pupils who come from minority ethnic backgrounds is below the national average. The proportion of pupils who speak English as an additional language is below the national average. The proportion of pupils who receive support for SEND is above the national average.

The proportion of pupils who have an education, health and care plan is above the national average. The proportion of pupils known to be eligible for support through the pupil premium funding is above the national average. The headteacher is temporarily absent from the school.

A member of the senior-leadership team has taken on the role of acting headteacher until the headteacher returns. A breakfast club and an after-school club are provided on site. These are managed by the school and were part of this inspection.