Aughton Junior Academy

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school.

The headteacher, ably supported by the deputy headteacher and the governing body, sets a clear direction for the school's work and is driving forward school improvement. Pupils make a good start in their learning in the caring Early Years Foundation Stage class. All pupils, including disabled pupils, those with special educational needs and those who attract extra funding through the pupil premium make good progress from many different starting points and achieve well.

The successful promotion of pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is at the heart of the school's work and relationships are strong at all levels. Teac...hing is good and there is a determined drive to make it even better. The best teaching sees learning moved on rapidly because work is carefully matched to pupils' needs and enables them to make best possible progress.

Pupils say they feel safe and are cared for well. They play their part in the success of the school through their good behaviour, a readiness of most to learn and attendance levels that are above average. It is not yet an outstanding school because : Teaching does not always challenge more-able pupils to do their best.

Occasionally, marking does not provide enough guidance to pupils about how to improve their work and make even better progress. Not enough opportunities are provided for pupils to undertake investigations and to do practical tasks. Pupils are not always given enough opportunities to practise linking letters to sounds to help them develop early reading skills quickly.

Information about this school

Aughton Primary School is a smaller than average sized primary school. The proportion of pupils known to be eligible for the pupil premium is above average. The proportion of pupils from minority ethnic groups is well below what is typical nationally.

There are no pupils at present who speak English as an additional language. The proportion of pupils supported at school action is average as is the proportion supported by school action plus or with a statement of special educational needs. Many more pupils than in other primary schools join or leave at other than the usual times.

Since the last inspection, there have been considerable changes in staffing. A current senior leader is absent. The school meets the government floor standard, which sets the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress.