Mount Stewart Junior School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is an outstanding school The confident and determined headteacher has worked closely with staff, governors and parents to build an uncompromising vision of a successful school at the heart of its community, and within a short time has gained the confidence and commitment of all. The result is a harmonious and cohesive school community.

Teaching is outstanding and, as a result, pupils make outstanding progress in reading, writing and mathematics. By the time they reach Year 6, pupils do much better than their peers nationally in English and mathematics. Overall, they do extremely well.

Pupils from different groups, including disabled pupils, those with spe...cial educational needs, those with additional funding under pupil premium and those who speak English as an additional language, make better than expected progress. High standards are expected for behaviour, and pupils show very positive attitudes towards their learning and behave extremely well. They enjoy being at school, feel safe, and take full advantage of the many opportunities given to them through clubs and visits.

The excellent range of topics and themes contributes to the pupils' strong social skills, their sensitive moral awareness and the care and respect they show to each other. Marking and feedback to pupils are strong in English and mathematics, but less effective in other subjects. This is because teachers do not assess specific skills in these subjects often enough.

Information about this school

Mount Stewart is larger than the average-sized junior school. Most pupils are from minority ethnic backgrounds, and most of these speak English as an additional language. The largest ethnic minority group is Asian Indian.

A below average proportion of pupils are eligible for the pupil premium, which provides additional funding for looked after children and pupils known to be eligible for free school meals. The proportion of pupils supported through school action is below average but the proportion supported at school action plus or with a statement of special educational needs is above average. The school exceeds the government's current floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress.

The headteacher was appointed in September 2011, and the deputy headteacher in September 2012. The school shares the same site with an infant school. It also shares a breakfast club with the infant school but as this is managed by the other school, it did not form part of the inspection.

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