Stocksbridge Junior School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is an outstanding school. Stocksbridge is a school where all leaders, managers and staff strive for excellence in order to provide the best education possible for all pupils.

This results in the pupils' outstanding achievement. Governors are an extremely important part of the team and share the staff's ambitions for the school and, more importantly, for the pupils. They provide support and challenge in equal measure.

Teaching is outstanding because pupils are set challenging tasks. The well-ordered yet lively atmosphere in classrooms enables all pupils to learn exceptionally well. Pupils are supported extremely well by skilled teaching assistants.
.../>Marking provides pupils with clear instructions on how to improve their work even more, with the consistent expectation that they will follow up teachers' comments. All groups of pupils, including disadvantaged pupils, disabled pupils and those with special educational needs, and the most able achieve exceptionally well. Standards at the end of Year 6 are above average in reading, writing and mathematics.

Pupils say they are happy and feel very safe in school. Behaviour in class is exemplary and movement around school is orderly and well managed. Pupils are very keen to learn and enjoy the responsibilities they are given.

Much thought has gone into designing a curriculum that ensures a wide range of stimulating and varied subjects are taught that will appeal to all learners. However, full advantage is not yet being made of the outdoor areas to promote learning or occupy pupils at break times. Pupils have many opportunities to develop their spiritual, moral, social and cultural awareness through an exciting range of topics and life-enriching experiences.

Pupils are very well prepared for life in modern Britain.

Information about this school

Stocksbridge is larger than the average-sized primary school. Almost all pupils are from White British backgrounds.

Very few speak English as an additional language. The proportion of disadvantaged pupils supported through the pupil premium funding, at 23%, is similar to that found nationally. The pupil premium is additional funding to support pupils known to be eligible for free school meals and those children who are looked after by the local authority.

Disabled pupils and those who have special educational needs make up 17% of the school population. This is also similar to the national average. The school meets the government's current floor standards, which are the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress by the end of Year 6.

Since the school was inspected in 2006, there have been significant changes in staffing, including the appointment of the headteacher, deputy headteacher and assistant headteacher. There have also been substantial improvements to the school premises. The school holds a daily breakfast club for its pupils and several after-school clubs.