Dame Janet Primary Academy

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school Pupils are a credit to their school.

They have very positive attitudes to learning and are enthusiastic in all that they do. They are very welcoming and friendly and they behave well. The executive headteacher, head of school and deputy headteacher work as a strong and highly effective team.

Working with the trust and the governors, they have improved the school so that it now provides a good education for its pupils. Leaders actively develop teachers' expertise and leadership skills. Middle leaders play their part in checking pupils' progress and the quality of teaching and learning.

Teaching and learning have improved and are g...ood. As a result, pupils make typically good progress from their starting points in reading, writing and mathematics. Progress is, however, uneven across classes and year groups.

Outcomes are improving over time. Standards are steadily improving, together with the proportion of pupils achieving the expectations for their age. Additional funding is used well to support the learning of vulnerable pupils.

Disadvantaged pupils achieve well. Pupils who have special educational needs (SEN) and/or disabilities are supported well and remain an ongoing focus for improvement. Although increasing, too few pupils are achieving high standards in their learning.

Teachers' expectations are not always consistently high enough, including for the presentation of pupils' work and handwriting. Pupils enjoy a rich, wider curriculum that stimulates and inspires them and provides them with memorable learning experiences. There are not always enough opportunities for pupils to achieve greater depth in their skills, knowledge and understanding in some subjects.

The school has a highly nurturing environment. Pupils' well-being and safeguarding are high priorities. They feel very safe in school.

Pupils' personal development and welfare are outstanding. Pupils enjoy coming to school. Attendance has improved and leaders have successfully reduced the proportion of pupils who are persistently absent by working with, and supporting, families.

Children get a good start in the early years. Children are nurtured and thrive and make good progress. Governors hold leaders to account well for the school's performance.

Information about this school

Dame Janet Primary Academy is larger than the average sized primary school. There are two classes in the Reception and in Years 1 and 2. There are three classes in each of the key stage 2 year groups.

The school has a Nursery that provides morning and afternoon sessions. The minimum age of admission is three years. The school is a member of The Kemnal Academies Trust (TKAT).

The management of the trust is by the TKAT Board of trustees. The school also has a local governing body that provides governance for this school and another Thanet TKAT school. The executive headteacher leads both of these schools.

Most pupils are of White British heritage. The proportion of disadvantaged pupils supported through the pupil premium funding is above the national average. The proportion of pupils who have SEN and/or disabilities is above the national average as is the proportion of pupils with an education, health and care plan.

The early years and the Year 1, 2 and 3 classes are in one building and the rest of the classes are in another building. The two buildings, the old infant and junior schools, are separated by a public footpath. The school provides a daily breakfast club.