Hasland Junior School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Key findings

This is a good school. The school is highly committed to an inclusive ethos and has very high expectations of both staff and pupils. The senior leadership team secures extremely high levels of spiritual, moral social and cultural development for the vast majority of pupils.

The school is not outstanding because recent improvements to achievement have not yet been sustained over time and there is some inconsistency in teaching. Pupils' progress is tracked and monitored very closely and the rigorous analysis of data is used highly effectively to target support where needed. As a result pupils typically make good progress and attain standards above national averages.

Disabled pupils and those wit...h special educational needs make equally good progress. The school has very effectively identified, halted and reversed a downward trend in mathematics attainment. Teaching is consistently good and sometimes outstanding.

Teachers make excellent use of the outdoor area to support pupils' learning and provide interesting activities that motivate and enthuse pupils. Very careful planning and support for disabled pupils and those with special educational needs ensure that they take an equal part in lessons alongside their peers. A few teachers do not always allow pupils to take responsibility for their own learning or provide enough opportunities for extended writing.

Behaviour is typically good, sometimes outstanding with pupils showing very positive attitudes to learning. Pupils are polite, courteous and respectful to both adults and peers. Parents, carers and pupils confirmed that pupils feel safe in school and are well cared for.

However, they also said that the behaviour of a few pupils sometimes disrupts classes and is a cause for concern. The leadership of teaching and the management of performance are outstanding. There is strength and depth in the senior leadership team.

The excellent leadership of the headteacher, supported by a very able governing body, has created an ethos of high expectations and driving ambition which is shared by all members of the school community. Together they quickly and accurately identify where action is required and bring about the necessary rapid improvement in outcomes for pupils.

Information about the school

The school is a larger-than-average junior school on the outskirts of Chesterfield with a growing school population.

It shares the site with the local secondary school. A smaller-than-average proportion of pupils are known to be eligible for free school meals. There are few pupils from minority ethnic groups and almost all pupils have English as their first language.

The proportion of disabled pupils and those with special educational needs supported by school action plus or with a statement of special educational needs is lower than the national average. The school has gained many awards in recognition of its work. These include nationally accredited awards such as the Award for Excellence for Anti-Bullying, the International Schools Full Award, Activemark, Investors in People, Artsmark, Healthy Schools and Basic Skills Quality Mark.

In addition it holds the Derbyshire County Council Personalised Learning Award and was the Derbyshire Acknowledging Filmmaking Talent Awards winner for the best script/storyline for the film pupils produced called 'Bullycycle'. There is a popular breakfast club run by the governing body. The school exceeds the current floor standards which are the minimum standards expected by the government.