Wentworth CofE Junior and Infant School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school Effective leadership, especially by the headteacher and deputy headteacher, has secured continuous improvements since the previous inspection, most notably in developing the curriculum, teaching and achievement. Teaching, learning and assessment are good and improving.

Staff are committed and able. They plan relevant and engaging lessons that enable pupils to work with increasing confidence, knowledge and understanding, especially in mathematics. Occasionally, the most able pupils are not challenged sufficiently in writing tasks.

Reading is taught consistently well throughout the school. Pupils quickly develop the habit of regular reading... from the letters and sounds of good phonics teaching in the early years and Year 1 to the extensive texts read in Year 6. Most pupils make good progress in reading, writing and mathematics during their time at school.

Even so, children who have special educational needs and/or disabilities are making slower progress than other groups of pupils. Pupils' progress in a wide range of subjects is developing but new assessment systems are not yet embedded throughout the school. Pupils are respectful, polite and keen to learn.

Their behaviour is consistently good in lessons and around school. Pupils are safe and secure. They feel well cared for and are confident that staff deal quickly to put a stop to the very rare cases of bullying.

Children enjoy learning and make good progress in the early years class. This is due to good teaching and exceptionally well-planned activities that stimulate their curiosity and enthusiasm for learning. The provision is well led and managed.

A substantial proportion of parents are critical of the quality of the school's communication, especially when they have concerns. Plans for improving the school do not always make clear enough what difference they are intended to have on pupils' learning and progress. Consequently, leaders and governors are not evaluating the performance of teachers and of the school sharply enough to drive further improvement.

The new governing body challenges and supports leaders well. Governors have a good overview of the strengths and weaknesses of the school.

Information about this school

The school does not meet requirements on the publication of information on its website about the attendance of governors and their business interests, or the effectiveness of its provision for pupils who have special educational needs and/or disabilities.

Leaders are aware of these omissions and have undertaken to rectify them. The school is smaller than the average-sized primary school. The vast majority of pupils are White British.

The proportion of pupils from minority ethnic backgrounds is below the national average. The proportion of pupils who have special educational needs and/or disabilities is below the national average, as too is the proportion that have a statement or an education, health and care plan. The proportion of pupils who are eligible for support through the pupil premium funding is below the national average.

The school has experienced a significant change of staff since the previous inspection, including the headteacher who joined the school shortly after that inspection in September 2013. Following an investigation by the Standards and Testing Agency, the schools' 2016 results were annulled. Therefore there is no judgement about whether or not the school meets the government's current floor standards.