Whiston Junior and Infant School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school.

The declining performance that has characterised the school's recent past has been halted and quickly reversed since the arrival of the new leadership team. Standards have risen since the previous inspection as a result of the strong leadership of the executive headteacher and governing body. The headteacher is well supported by the head of school, all staff and the governing body.

Teaching is mostly good and sometimes outstanding and pupils achieve well by the end of Year 6. Pupils' positive attitudes and good behaviour contribute to a strong sense of community. They enjoy coming to school.

The support for pupils who are potent...ially vulnerable or at risk of underachieving is effective in ensuring they, too, make good progress. Parents are very supportive of the school and appreciate the many recent improvements. School leaders accurately measure how well the school is doing and so know what needs to be done next.

It is not yet an outstanding school because : There is some inconsistency in teaching: in marking so that not all pupils know how to respond to teachers' comments; in teachers' use of resources to make lessons more interesting; and the provision of extension activities and tasks to challenge pupils further, especially the more-able.

Information about this school

The school is slightly smaller than most primary schools. Most pupils are White British.

The proportion of pupils from minority ethnic groups is much lower than the national average. Very few pupils speak English as an additional language. There are lower than average proportions of disabled pupils and those who are supported through school action, and also at school action plus or with a statement of special educational needs.

The proportion of pupils supported through the pupil premium is much lower than the national average (this is additional funding for those known to be eligible for free school meals, in local authority care, or who have a parent in the armed forces). The school meets the government's current floor standards (these set the minimum expectations for attainment and progress). An executive headteacher and a head of school have been appointed since the previous full inspection.

There have been significant changes to staff over the last 18 months or so. During the course of last year some pupils were taught off-site while building reparations were taking place. The school is part of a federation with two other local schools.

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