Newlands Junior School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Main findings

This is a good school which provides a good standard of education for its pupils. They join the school with attainment in English and mathematics which is below average and make good progress so that by the end of Year 6 their attainment is in line with the national average. Pupils' attainment in reading and mathematics is higher than it is in writing, although some high-attaining pupils are not sufficiently challenged in English and mathematics so that, compared with national figures, relatively few of them reach the higher Level 5 attainment by the end of Year 6.

The school places a strong emphasis on the promotion of pupils' self-esteem and confidence, and parents and carers speak highly of the 'fa...mily atmosphere' in which their children thrive. The school takes its duty to keep children safe extremely seriously and pays meticulous attention to all aspects of safeguarding. Pupils say confidently how safe they feel in school.

They feel safe from bullying and any form of harassment. They feel that adults care about them and are ready to listen to any concerns they might have. Pupils' exemplary behaviour makes an excellent contribution to their learning.

They help draw up the school's behaviour code each year and respond very well to the high expectations of the staff. This means that they learn in a calm environment where courtesy and consideration are the norm. As a result of the high quality information they receive, pupils show clear insight into what it means to adopt a healthy lifestyle.

They told inspectors in detail how they look after themselves through healthy eating and taking regular exercise. They understand the dangers of smoking and of drug abuse. Inspectors observed many of them eating healthy snacks at break time, and a large proportion walk or cycle to school and take part in after-school sport.

School leaders have a clear understanding of the school's context and the part it plays in its local community, but have not yet provided opportunities for the school's contribution to extend further afield. Although pupils show curiosity about the world, they do not have opportunities to interact at first hand with children or adults from contrasting communities. For example, there are no links with other schools in other parts of the United Kingdom or abroad.

Therefore, pupils' understanding and insight into the cultural diversity of the modern world is only satisfactory. The school has been effective in tackling the issues for improvement raised at the last inspection. Strategies to raise attendance have begun to have a positive impact.

There have been some notable improvements as a result of the school's work with families who had not previously seen the value of their child's regular attendance. Pupils now have more opportunities to take on responsibilities. They say they enjoy taking on tasks and duties and show a pride in serving their community in this way.

All aspects of the school are kept under rigorous review, and decisive action is taken when areas for improvement are found. For example, girls' attainment in reading and mathematics was not as high as in that of boys, but the school's decisive strategies to address this have been successful and the gap in attainment between boys and girls has closed. The school has investigated in great detail other recent areas of uneven performance, and has made sure that they do not indicate any trends.

The school therefore has good capacity to improve further.

Information about the school

The school is smaller than the average junior school. Most pupils are of White British heritage, and the proportion from minority ethnic groups or who are currently learning English as an additional language is well below the national level.

The percentage of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities is above average, although the percentage with a statement of special educational needs is below the national figure. The proportion of pupils who are known to be eligible for free school meals is almost double the national rate. The school holds the Activemark award and has attained National Healthy Schools Gold status.