Dunchurch Boughton Church of England Junior Academy

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Key findings

This is an outstanding school where the relentless drive of senior leaders, the business manager and the governing body to improve, successfully underpins pupils' excellent achievement.

High standards in reading, writing and mathematics have been sustained for the past five years, despite recent and ongoing staffing turbulence. Exceptional procedures are well established for checking the effectiveness of all aspects of school life, including the progress made by individual pupils every half term. Assessment information is used effectively to ensure every pupil's learning needs are met.

This maximises the progress for disabled pupils and those with special educational needs and the very few wit...h English as an additional language. Teaching is outstanding, including during the before- and after-school club sessions and activities in and out of class. Curriculum development never ceases for staff and helps maintain the high standards and pupils' enjoyment.

Curriculum enrichment is a strong feature with a wide range of additional activities on offer for pupils to enjoy. Morale is high and there is a strong sense of community where everyone is cared for, valued and feels safe in school. The inclusion of disabled pupils is exceptional and this fosters a strong sense of social responsibility in all pupils.

The excellent provision for pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development ensures pupils' behaviour is exemplary and all have extremely positive attitudes towards school and their learning. Curriculum revisions this term strengthen links between subjects. However, promoting mathematical skills does not have the same high profile as reading, writing or computer skills.

Teachers' marking is thorough and informative but there is little evidence of pupils following up teachers' comments to further improve their work.

Information about the school

The school is larger than the average primary school with almost half of its pupils travelling from out of the normal catchment area. The proportion of pupils from a variety of minority ethnic backgrounds is below average and very few speak English as an additional language.

The proportion of disabled pupils and those with special educational needs is below average but above average for those who have a statement of educational needs. The proportion of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals is below average. Amongst its national awards, the school has Healthy School status and the International Schools Award.

The last routine inspection was deferred following a review by Ofsted, which found high attainment was being sustained. In the last academic year, significant staffing turbulence affected half of the eight classes. Temporary teachers are still covering two classes.

The school meets the current floor standard, whereby the government sets the minimum expectations for attainment and progress. There is a before- and after-school club run and managed by the school during term time. It was part of the inspection and is included in this report.