Darrick Wood Junior School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school. Different groups of pupils achieve well, including pupils with a hearing impairment who attend the specially resourced provision. Pupils enter the school with skills that are above those expected for their age, and leave with significantly above average attainment in reading, writing and mathematics.

In the most recent results, the majority of pupils attained above age-related expectations in English and mathematics. Teaching that is at least typically good supports pupils' good progress. Tasks are well matched to pupils' differing needs and teachers' marking helps pupils improve their work and skills.

Pupils have very positive attitudes... to learning and behave well. They know the next steps they need to take to progress and engage enthusiastically in both independent and collaborative tasks. Pupils feel safe at school and their attendance is above average.

Effective leadership, including by the governing body, has significantly improved the school's performance since the previous inspection. Consequently, pupils' achievement and the quality of teaching are now securely good. The breadth of opportunities, including impressive use of a wide range of school internet blogs, and extensive music provision outside of lessons, effectively promote both pupils' academic and personal skills and qualities, and prepare them well for the next stage of their education.

It is not yet an outstanding school because : The length of time spent on different activities in lessons does not always enable rapid progress or sufficiently deep understanding to secure outstanding pupil achievement. Teachers sometimes miss opportunities to develop and extend pupils' knowledge and Although leadership at different levels is good and sometimes better, not all leaders achieve a consistently high level of rigour and sophistication when analysing and evaluating the impact of their actions. use of letters and sounds (phonics) in reading and spelling.

Information about this school

Darrick Wood Junior School is much larger than the average-sized primary school. The proportions of disabled pupils and those with special educational needs that are supported either at school action, or at school action plus or with a statement of special educational needs, are below average. The school has a linked specially resourced provision for pupils with a hearing impairment.

This provision is managed and staffed by the local authority, although pupils are integrated with mainstream lessons in the school for varying proportions of the day. Nine junior-aged pupils on the school's roll currently attend the provision. All have a statement of special educational needs.

The proportion known to be eligible for the pupil premium is much lower than average. The school meets the government's current floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress. There have been significant changes to the composition and structure of the governing body since the previous inspection.

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