Moat Farm Junior School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school. Pupils make good progress from the time they enter the school to the time they leave, and they leave with skills in English and mathematics that are broadly average. Disabled pupils and those who have special educational needs and those pupils for whom the pupil premium provides support make good progress in their learning as a result of additional support and tuition in small groups and individually.

Teaching is consistently good throughout the school and some is outstanding. Teachers question the pupils skilfully to establish what they know about their topics and plan learning activities that ensure they make good progress. Pupils feel safe in ...lessons and around the school.

Pupils' behaviour is good. Pupils' show positive attitude towards their learning. In lessons they are polite and considerate of others' opinions.

Leaders and governors know the strengths of the school and effectively prioritise those areas to improve. Leaders monitor the quality of teaching closely, and regularly provide training to develop aspects of teaching. Teachers and leaders have performance management targets that are challenging and linked to pupils' achievement.

The range of subjects and topics that pupils study is wide and varied. Partnerships are strong and benefit the pupils in the school. It is not yet an outstanding school because : Teaching is not leading to outstanding achievement.

Teachers expectations of what can be achieved by pupils are not always high enough. Teachers' written comments in pupils' books do not always tell pupils exactly what they need to do to improve and pupils are not routinely allowed time to respond to these comments. The homework that is set does not always link sufficiently closely to the topic pupils are learning.

The outstanding teaching in the school is not shared frequently enough with all staff.

Information about this school

This is a larger than average-sized junior school. A smaller proportion of pupils than usual, but a majority of pupils, are from White British backgrounds.

Indian pupils form the next largest group, a higher proportion than average. There is a range of other minority ethnic groups. The proportion of disabled pupils and those who have special educational needs who are supported at school action is above average.

The proportion who are supported at school action plus or with a statement of special educational needs is below average. The proportion of pupils for whom the school receives the pupil premium (additional government funding for pupils known to be eligible for free school meals, those in local authority care, and those who have a parent in the armed forces) is above the national average. The school operates a staggered intake for new pupils.

Three-quarters of its new pupils join in Year 3, with the remaining quarter joining at the start of Year 4. From September 2013, it is intended that all admissions will be at the start of Year 3. A small proportion of pupils join the school in other years.

The 'Albion Foundation' resource is alternative provision used occasionally by the school if any pupil needs personalised support to improve their focus on learning in school. The school has been a 'Trust School' from June 2011, working in partnership with Barnardo's Midlands, Sandwell College, and West Bromwich Albion Foundation. The school meets the government's current floor standards, which set the minimum requirements for pupils' attainment and progress.

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