Balksbury Junior School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school School leaders, supported by an effective governing body, have brought about significant improvements to the school since the previous inspection. Teaching has improved and is now good. Teachers know pupils well and this allows them to provide work that is at the right level for the pupils.

Pupils make good progress in reading, writing and mathematics. Work in their books shows that they work hard to reach high standards. The quality of their writing is particularly good.

Pupils who have special educational needs achieve well. Staff are skilled at identifying their needs and provide the right support to help them to overcome their barrier...s. Pupils enjoy school and they behave well.

They are friendly and polite and they get on well together. Pupils feel safe in school. They know how to stay safe from external dangers, including those related to modern technology.

The curriculum is well planned to provide enriching experiences for pupils. It contributes effectively to pupils' understanding of life in modern Britain and their spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. There is a good choice of clubs and activities for pupils to enjoy after school.

The range of sporting activities has improved and pupils have gained some success in inter-schools competitions. Leaders and governors are ambitious. They know the school well and have plans in place for further improvement.

There is a clear sense of purpose among staff, who work closely together. It is not yet an outstanding school because : Some leaders are new to their roles and do not make enough use of all available information to provide challenge and support to other teachers. Not all teachers follow the school policy to provide opportunities for pupils to respond to the guidance and advice they are given as feedback on their work.

A few teachers do not always insist on the highest standards of presentation of work in pupils' books. Pupils do not make consistently good progress in every class. Not all teachers deepen and extend pupils' understanding by posing questions that make them think hard.

The school's website does not provide parents with all the required information.

Information about this school

The school is larger than most primary schools and pupils are taught in single-age classes. The school is part of the Balksbury federation of schools.

The proportion of pupils known to be eligible for the pupil premium funding is below average. This is additional funding provided by the government to support those pupils who are entitled to free school meals or who are looked after. Most pupils are of White British heritage and very few speak English as an additional language.

The proportion of pupils who have special educational needs and disability is broadly average. The school meets the government's floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress. There is a breakfast club that is managed separately and did not form part of this inspection.

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