Pickering Community Junior School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school.

Since the previous inspection, the school's effectiveness has improved and is now good. The drive and determination of the headteacher to improve the school are shared by staff team and governors. Areas for improvement identified at the time of the last inspection have been successfully tackled and this has led to marked improvements in the quality of teaching and pupils' achievement.

Teaching is now good and some is better. As a result, pupils now make good progress in reading, writing and mathematics. Expectations of what pupils are capable of achieving are higher.

Work is generally matched well to pupils' varying needs and ab...ilities. In particular, pupils with special educational needs and disadvantaged pupils make good progress. Behaviour in classes and around the school is consistently good and sometimes outstanding.

Pupils say they feel safe and that everyone in school cares for them very well. The school provides well for pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. Pupils understand that responsibility, respect and tolerance are important.

Computing is a strength in the school. It contributes greatly to pupils' enjoyment of learning and ensures that they are well prepared for the next stage of their education and future lives. The role of middle leaders has strengthened.

They now make an effective contribution to driving school improvement forward. Governors are fully committed to making the school the very best it can be. They provide senior leaders with the right balance of challenge and support.

Parents are highly supportive of the school's work. They acknowledge that this is a school where `children blossom' and `develop a love of learning'. It is not yet an outstanding school because : Work provided for the most able pupils sometimes lacks challenge.

Pupils do not have enough opportunities to apply their mathematical skills by solving problems. Some agreed teaching policies, such as marking of work, are not always adhered to by all staff. The school improvement plan does not make it clear how and when leaders intend to check pupils' achievement throughout the year, so that they know their actions are having an impact.

Information about this school

Pickering Community Junior School is larger than the average sized primary school. The number of pupils on roll is rising. Almost all pupils are from White British backgrounds.

The proportion of disabled pupils and those who have special educational needs is below the national average. The proportion of disadvantaged pupils who are supported by the pupil premium is below the national average. The pupil premium is additional funding for those who are known to be eligible for free school meals and those children who are looked after by the local authority.

Since the last inspection, the school has appointed a Vulnerable Person's Champion. This team member works across the Pickering Junior and Infant Schools to provide support for vulnerable pupils. The school meets the government's current floor standards which are the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress in English and mathematics by the end of Year 6.