Short Heath Junior School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school The executive headteacher and head of school have high expectations of both teaching and learning. They have ensured that the school has improved since the last inspection.

Subject leaders are now influencing how their subjects are taught. This has led to curriculum improvement. Disadvantaged pupils, particularly those with middle and high prior attainment, are making strong progress in reading, writing and mathematics.

Teaching has improved well since the time of the last inspection. As a result, pupils' outcomes have also improved. However, variation remains between and within year groups.

Pupils' outcomes are better this year ...than previously. However, pupils with low starting points are not making sufficient progress in writing and mathematics in order to catch up with their classmates. The most able pupils achieve well.

This is because they are given work which challenges them effectively. Boys make similar progress to girls. Boys' attainment is behind that of girls owing to weaker progress prior to this academic year.

Reading has improved this year. This is owing to a comprehensive range of strategies designed to encourage pupils to enjoy their reading and to read more often. Leaders have ensured that pupils' attendance continues to improve.

So far this year, all groups of pupils have attended well. Pupils are clear about how they should conduct themselves around school. As a result, their behaviour is good.

The school has robust systems in place to keep pupils safe. Staff are vigilant and pupils look out for one another. The school's provision for pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is effective.

Pupils show respect for different views by listening attentively to each other. They subsequently reflect well on their own perspectives.

Information about this school

The school meets requirements on the publication of specified information on its website.

Short Heath Junior School is smaller than the average primary school. It has been part of the Short Heath Federation with Lane Head Nursery School and Rosedale Church of England Infant School since April 2006. The senior leadership team includes the executive headteacher, who oversees all schools in the federation, and the head of school.

A breakfast club for pupils is provided by the governing body. It was observed as part of this inspection. The proportion of pupils from minority ethnic backgrounds is below average.

A large majority are White British. The proportion of pupils who have a first language that is not English is well below the national average. The proportion of disadvantaged pupils supported by the pupil premium is above the national average.

The proportion of pupils who have special educational needs and/or disabilities is similar to the national average. The school meets the government's current floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for attainment and progress by the end of Year 6. At the time of the inspection, Year 6 pupils were taking their national assessment tests.