Downs Barn School

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About Downs Barn School


Name Downs Barn School
Inspections
Ofsted Inspections
Executive Head Mrs Kate Mathews
Address 69 Downs Barns Boulevard, Downs Barn, Milton Keynes, MK14 7NA
Phone Number 01908604430
Phase Primary
Type Community school
Age Range 3-7
Religious Character Does not apply
Gender Mixed
Number of Pupils 90
Local Authority Milton Keynes
Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school The headteacher has set high expectations of staff and pupils.

She has an accurate understanding of the school's strengths and areas for development. Senior leaders have taken effective action to improve teaching and learning across the school. The work has had a noticeable impact on improving pupil outcomes.

Governors know the school well and hold school leaders to account. They have not, however, monitored the impact of pupil premium funding on outcomes for disadvantaged pupils rigorously enough. Middle leaders lead their subjects with enthusiasm.

They do not, however, monitor the impact of their actions rigorously enough. The ...quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good. Teachers plan activities that are matched well to pupils' next steps in their learning.

As a result, pupils make good progress in reading, writing and mathematics. The teaching of phonics is strong, and pupils are highly engaged in their learning. As a result, pupils make good progress in their knowledge and understanding of letters and the sounds that they make.

The teaching of spelling and handwriting is not effective enough. This is limiting pupils from making even greater progress in key stage 1. Pupils are friendly and welcoming.

They play well together at playtimes and lunchtimes, and their conduct around the school is calm and orderly. While most pupils have positive attitudes to their learning, at times some pupils lose concentration in their learning. This slows their progress.

Some pupils do not take enough pride in the presentation of their work and, at times, it can become untidy. While children make good progress in the early years, there are some variations in the quality of teaching. This is preventing some children from making the progress of which they are capable, particularly the most able children.

The school's work to promote pupils' personal development and welfare is strong. Positive, nurturing relationships, and additional advice and support, ensure that pupils' social and emotional well-being are very well supported. Leaders have established an effective culture of safeguarding.

Pupils are well looked after and they know how to keep themselves safe.

Information about this school

Downs Barn School is an infant school that shares a governing body with a local junior school under the Boulevard Primary Partnership. The school is smaller than the average-sized primary school.

The school has undergone a change in leadership since the previous inspection, and a new headteacher was appointed in September 2017. The early years setting incorporates a Nursery for three- to four-year-old children, and a Reception class for four- and five-year-old children. The proportion of disadvantaged pupils is below the national average.

The proportion of pupils who have SEN and/or disabilities is similar to the national average. The proportion of pupils who speak English as an additional language is significantly above the national average. The school provides a childcare breakfast club and after-school club on its site.


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