Spring Grove Junior Infant and Nursery School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is an outstanding school.

The dedication, exceptional vision and inspirational leadership shown by the headteacher have created a culture of hard work and excellence throughout the school. Her passion and ambition to provide the very best for every pupil is shared by the highly effective deputy headteacher and leaders at all levels as well as governors. Together they are a strong team who have had notable impact on the high quality of teaching and learning which has been sustained since the last inspection.

The school is an extremely happy community where pupils feel very safe and are well cared for by nurturing adults who know them very well. Excellent r...elationships flourish in this welcoming environment. Behaviour is exemplary.

Pupils are extremely well mannered, polite and courteous. They take responsibility for caring and supporting each other, both in lessons and on the playground. All pupils show great consideration and respect, demonstrating the values the school instils in them from the earliest age.

Pupils from a range of cultural backgrounds learn in harmony together, respecting each other's differences. A rich, exciting and diverse curriculum promotes pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development exceptionally well and prepares them for future life. Children in the early years make an exceptional start to their education because of the rich and varied learning experiences which help to ensure that they make outstanding progress.

Pupils make outstanding progress in all year groups from their individual starting points, regardless of their ability or any barriers to learning. At the end of both Key Stages 1 and 2, they reach standards, which are overall above or often well above average. The quality of teaching overall is outstanding.

Lessons very effectively challenge and engage pupils of different abilities and this leads to exceptional progress. All staff share the headteacher's vision to provide the very best for every child. They know pupils very well and ensure that learning is both interesting and exciting.

Teachers set exceptionally high targets for pupils to aim for. However, some teachers do not always expect enough of pupils in the way they present their work, including their handwriting. Skilled teaching assistants play a very valuable role in supporting pupils' learning in lessons, in small groups and individual sessions.

They know exactly what pupils need to learn so that all make equally outstanding progress. The school's reputation in the community is very strong. Parents acknowledge its many strengths and appreciate all that the school does for their children.

Information about this school

Spring Grove Junior Infant and Nursery School is an average sized primary school with a nursery. The vast majority of pupils are from minority ethnic groups with a significant proportion of Pakistani heritage. The proportion of pupils who speak English as an additional language is well above average.

Many are at an early stage of English language acquisition when they join the school. The proportion of pupils who are disadvantaged and supported by the pupil premium is above average. The pupil premium is additional funding to support pupils known to be eligible for free school meals and children who are looked after by the local authority.

The proportion of disabled pupils and those who have special educational needs is below average. 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. The school runs its own breakfast club.

Children attend the Nursery class part time. The headteacher is designated as a National Leader of Education and a member of staff is a Specialist Leader of Education. Both support other schools in their development.