Solent Junior School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school.

Underpinning the school's success is the exceptionally strong leadership of its headteacher. She is very effectively supported by other senior leaders and governors. Very regular checking of the quality of teaching and pupils' progress by both leaders and governors helps to ensure that weaker aspects are swiftly identified.

Plans are speedily put in place to address them effectively. Recent improvement has been rapid and the school is already tackling weaknesses identified during this inspection. It is exceptionally well placed to improve further.

Pupils' achievement is good and their attainment is above average, significantly s...o in reading and mathematics. The proportion of pupils working above the levels expected for their age in these subjects is rising. Teaching quality is uniformly good and improving well.

There are considerable strengths in the way new learning is demonstrated and explained; consequently, pupils learn quickly. The curriculum supports different pupils' needs very well and enthuses pupils to learn. The new curriculum and assessment requirements have been implemented very effectively.

Excellent support is provided for pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. As a result, their behaviour in lessons and around the school is outstanding, as are their attitudes to learning. The procedures for keeping pupils safe and free from harm are outstanding.

Excellent relationships between pupils and with staff are evident. The outstanding support for pupils from service families helps them to make excellent progress. The governing body is very well informed and exceptionally thorough in checking the school's work and its impact on pupils' achievement.

Parents are especially well informed about the school's work and their children's progress. In return they provide very good support to the school in a wide range of ways. It is not yet an outstanding school because : Teaching is not yet outstanding.

There is some variation in the level of challenge in pupils' improvement targets. Teachers' marking of pupils' work does not always indicate what pupils have achieved or how to improve. Whilst the language pupils use in their writing tasks is very effective, their spelling and handwriting are not as good.

This limits pupils' attainment.

Information about this school

This is larger than the average-size junior school, with three classes in each year group. The proportion of pupils with special educational needs supported by school action is below average, as is the proportion of pupils supported by school action plus or with a statement of special educational needs.

Most pupils are of White British heritage. Few pupils come from minority ethnic backgrounds. Very few speak English as an additional language.

A small minority of pupils come from families where a parent is serving in the armed forces. The proportion of disadvantaged pupils (those eligible for pupil premium funding) is well below average. This additional funding is to provide extra support for pupils known to be eligible for free school meals and to children who are looked after.

The school works closely with a group of local schools in monitoring and development work. The school meets the government's floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress. There have been a number of staff absences over the past year.

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