Duncton CofE Junior School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school. The governors and school leadership team, together with the staff, have created a positive learning environment where pupils thrive and achieve well. Progress has become more consistent.

It is good across the school and is improving. Standards are rising in reading, writing and mathematics. Pupils benefit from good teaching and high-quality resources.

Teachers provide a wide variety of activities that capture pupils' interest. Pupils' behaviour is exemplary in lessons and around the school. They are very reflective and show great consideration for each other and the adults around them.

Pupils say they feel absolutely safe in sch...ool. They feel very valued as individuals and appreciate the excellent care they receive from staff. Teamwork is a strength of the school.

Staff are unified in feeling proud to be part of the school. The headteacher's enlightened and skilful leadership is complemented by the effectiveness of governors. Governors work closely with senior leaders and challenge and support them equally well.

Pupils' excellent spiritual, moral, social and cultural development inspires their tolerance and compassion for others. It is not yet an outstanding school because : Work is not always at the right level of difficulty for pupils and this sometimes hinders progress, including for the most able. Leaders are not always consistent in keeping a sharp focus on pupils' progress when they check the quality of teaching.

Pupils do not always respond to the guidance they are given in marking.

Information about this school

In this smaller-than-average junior school, most pupils are from White British backgrounds. Very few pupils are supported by the pupil premium (additional government funding for pupils known to be eligible for free school meals and children who are looked after).

The proportion of disabled pupils and those who have special educational needs is above average. The school meets the government's current floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress. The school is part of a federation with Graffham CE Infant School.

The headteacher runs both schools and there is one overarching governing body. The school is a Forest School. Forest Schools promote learning outdoors in a natural environment.