Baden-Powell and St Peter’s Church of England Junior School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school. The school benefits considerably from the exceptionally strong leadership of its headteacher.

He has very successfully led the school through a period of considerable change. He is very well supported by other senior leaders. High-quality systems for managing and checking all aspects of the school's work ensure improvement planning is well targeted at weaker areas.

These are then successfully addressed. The school is already tackling the weaker aspects identified during this inspection. It is exceptionally well placed to improve further.

Pupils' achievement is good. Since the previous inspection, attainment in reading, writing a...nd mathematics by Year 6 has remained high compared to most schools. Pupils' progress is accelerating.

There are already some signs of excellence. The achievement of the most-able pupils in mathematics, and in reading for those pupils receiving additional funding, is outstanding. Effective strategies for improving teaching quality ensure this is uniformly at least good.

Considerable strengths, such as in behaviour management, are seen in all classes. There is, however, still some variation in quality, although the proportion of outstanding teaching is rising. Support for pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is outstanding.

Behaviour in lessons and around the school is excellent. This significantly supports pupils' learning. The school has excellent procedures to keep pupils safe and free from harm.

Very positive relationships with staff and between pupils make it a very happy and safe place to be. Governors are strongly committed to the school. They are well informed, especially on teaching quality and pupils' progress.

Governors support and challenge leaders well. It is not yet an outstanding school because : The quality of teaching, although improving well, is not yet outstanding. Recent reorganisation of middle leaders' and governors' roles means some aspects of their monitoring are not yet fully in place.

Pupils' weaker handwriting and spelling skills limit their achievement in writing. The gap between the attainment of pupils receiving additional funding and the attainment levels expected by Year 6 has not closed as well in writing and mathematics as it has in reading.

Information about this school

This is a much larger than average-sized junior school.

There are six classes in each year group. Since the previous inspection, the school has changed considerably. In September 2012, it became a junior instead of a middle school, now admitting pupils from Year 3 to Year 6.

At the same time, pupil numbers increased by 20%. Associated with this have been a considerable number of staff changes, especially at leadership level. The current headteacher and deputy headteacher have taken up post since the previous inspection.

The proportion of disabled pupils and those with special educational needs is below the national average. Most pupils are from White British backgrounds. The proportion of pupils from minority ethnic backgrounds is well below average, as is the proportion of pupils who speak English as an additional language.

The proportion of pupils eligible for the additional funding known as the pupil premium is below average, although it has more than doubled since the previous inspection. This funding is to provide extra support for pupils known to be eligible for free school meals and to children who are looked after. The school provides before and after school and holiday care called 'Superstars'.

This was inspected separately two years ago. In conjunction with a local provider, the school provides teacher training. The school meets the government's current floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress in English and mathematics.

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