Sir John Sherbrooke Junior School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school. Standards are rising rapidly due to the secure systems to track progress.

These ensure that no pupil falls behind with their work. All groups of pupils achieve well in speaking and listening, reading, mathematics and information and communication technology, and are well prepared for secondary school. The dip in results in mathematics last year has been reversed quickly and effectively.

Good teaching ensures good progress of all groups of pupils. Teaching assistants make a valuable contribution to pupils' learning. Behaviour is good in and around the school and pupils who have had difficulties with behaviour know how to overcome these....r/>
Relationships throughout the school are good. Pupils say that they feel safe and staff are always at hand to help. In spite of the many disruptions in staffing, good leadership and management by the headteacher, senior leaders and governors have ensured that all pupils make at least good progress.

A rigorous approach to checking the quality of lessons has helped leaders to improve teaching. It is not yet an outstanding school because : The quality of pupils' spelling and presentation is not always good enough and sometimes teachers overuse worksheets, thus limiting the opportunities for pupils to practise their writing skills in different subjects. When teachers mark work, they do not routinely give pupils a clear picture of what they need to do to improve their work.

Sometimes, planning does not take pupils' prior learning fully into account and their understanding is not consistently checked in lessons. Middle leaders are not yet proactive enough in developing their subjects, relying too much on the headteacher for guidance. They do not systematically share the best practice in the school.

Information about this school

The school is smaller than the average-sized junior school. An above average proportion of pupils are eligible for pupil premium which provides additional funding for children in local authority care and pupils known to be eligible for free school meals. The proportion of pupils from minority ethnic groups is below the national average as is the number of pupils who speak English as an additional language.

The proportion of pupils with disabilities and special educational needs who are supported at school action is in line with the national average as is the proportion at school action plus or with a statement of special educational need. The school meets the government's targets for pupils' progress and attainment in English and mathematics. The school has had significant staffing problems over the last year due to staff illnesses.

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