Sandwich Junior School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is an outstanding school The headteacher and school leaders have a clear vision for the school that promotes the achievement of every pupil within a caring community.

Governors carry out their duties conscientiously under the leadership of an astute chair. They visit the school regularly to see how well pupils are learning. Pupils make outstanding progress from their starting points.

Pupils enter the school with average levels of achievement and by the end of Year 6 pupils' outcomes are well above national averages in reading, writing and mathematics. Subject leaders know how well pupils are achieving in their subjects. They are exceptionally well focused... on what their pupils need to learn next.

This leads to excellent achievement in a wide range of subjects. Teaching and learning is never less than good and much is outstanding. Pupils benefit from the high levels of expertise and depth of knowledge of many teachers.

Pupils' love of learning is clear in the enthusiastic way they apply themselves in lessons. Leaders have developed a creative and challenging curriculum that stimulates, excites and engages pupils exceptionally well. Pupils' work is of a very high standard.

There are many opportunities for pupils to write at length across all subjects. The quality of work they produce in a wide range of other subjects is of a similar high standard to that in English and is always exceptionally neat and well presented. The pupils are wonderful ambassadors for their school.

They have excellent attitudes to learning. They speak eloquently about their understanding of how to improve their work. As a result, they make sustained and rapid progress.

Pupils' behaviour in lessons and around the school is impressive. They are exceptionally polite and well mannered. The promotion of pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is highly successful and is a strong feature of the school.

Relationships between pupils and staff are very strong. Pupils feel safe and very well cared for in this harmonious environment. Everyone is valued and treated with respect.

The school strongly promotes both mental and physical well-being. Leaders know the strengths and weaknesses of the school well. Sometimes, plans for improvement do not include measurable targets that would allow senior leaders and governors to more accurately evaluate the impact of their work.

Information about this school

Sandwich Junior School is smaller than the average junior school. The school meets the government's floor standards, which are the minimum expectation for pupils' attainment and progress by the end of Year 6. The proportion of pupils from minority ethnic groups is well below the national average.

The proportion of disadvantaged pupils supported by the pupil premium (additional government funding for pupils known to be eligible for free school meals and children looked after) is below the national average. The proportion of pupils with disabilities and those with special educational needs is below the national average. The school does not meet requirements on the publication of specified information on its website because : it lacks some of the required information about governance.