Market Drayton Junior School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school The headteacher, senior leaders and governors provide clear vision and direction. Pupils, parents and staff unanimously appreciate this leadership. Staff form a united and dedicated team.

Leaders and governors know the school very well. They address weaknesses quickly and effectively. The school's curriculum promotes pupils' basic skills and their love of learning in many subjects.

It is supplemented by a wide array of extra-curricular clubs, activities and visits. Pupils enjoy and benefit from these a great deal. Most pupils make good progress across a wide range of subjects, including English and mathematics.

However, the propo...rtion of pupils achieving the higher standard at the end of Year 6 has been below average in recent years. Pupils who have special educational needs (SEN) and/or disabilities make strong progress. They are very well supported by teachers and teaching assistants.

Pupils enjoy reading. They read regularly and fluently. Pupils who join the school with weak basic literacy skills catch up quickly.

However, pupils' comprehension skills lag a little behind their reading fluency. Teachers' recent focus on improving pupils' numeracy has proved successful. Pupils are confident in using calculation.

However, the teaching of mathematical reasoning is not as consistently strong across the school. Teachers' skilled use of assessment helps pupils to know what they have to do to improve their work. Leaders use assessment information well to help pupils, or groups of pupils, who are falling behind.

Relationships between adults and pupils are excellent. Teachers establish clear routines that ensure that little time is wasted in lessons. Pupils trust their teachers.

They are happy to attempt challenging work and they are eager to learn. Pupils' behaviour is impeccable in lessons, at breaktime and at lunchtime. In class, they are attentive, respectful and hard working.

At social times, they are courteous, sensible and mature. Pupils eagerly take advantage of the school's many leadership and other opportunities. They are confident, caring and considerate.

Pupils express their views maturely and articulately. Pupils enjoy school and, consequently, attendance is high. They recognise and value the care and support they receive from the school's adults.

Pupils feel very safe in school.

Information about this school

The school meets requirements on the publication of specified information on its website. It is larger than the average-sized junior school.

It became a foundation school in 2014. Most pupils are from White British backgrounds. The percentage of pupils from minority ethnic backgrounds is well below the national average.

The proportion of pupils who have SEN and/or disabilities is above average. The school has an average proportion of disadvantaged pupils. The school meets the government's floor standards, which are the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress.