Whiteheath Junior School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school. The headteacher provides thoughtful and determined leadership.

Her clear goals for the next stage of the school's development are shared and supported by staff and governors. Governors question school leaders carefully when holding them to account for the school's performance. The governing body continually reflects on how it can become more effective.

Teaching is good. As a result, pupils make good progress and their attainment is well above average by the time they leave Year 6. The school supports very effectively the learning of disadvantaged pupils.

Additional staffing funded through the pupil premium is focused very carefu...lly on where it can have the most impact. Pupils' circumstances are known well because the school builds well on the close links established with families while their children are in the infant school. Disabled pupils and those who have special educational needs make excellent progress because : of the very high quality of support given to them.

The school provides very strong support for all aspects of the pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. Pupils feel safe and are kept extremely safe in school. They also take a lead in helping each other to identify and deal with risks they might come across.

The pupils' thoughtful behaviour helps to make the school a happy and orderly environment. The consistent use of the new code of conduct helps pupils learn to become more responsible. Pupils try hard at all times.

They are keen to answer questions and complete work they are given. This supports their good learning. It is not yet an outstanding school because: Subject leaders for English and mathematics do not provide enough support and guidance for their colleagues to improve their teaching.

Pupils' learning in English and mathematics does not build rapidly on what they have learned in the infant school because subject links between the schools are not strong enough. The work teachers set and the questions they ask do not always challenge the more able pupils enough or develop their skills of enquiry and investigation in mathematics. There is not yet enough consistency in the quality of marking and feedback across the school.

Information about this school

The school is above average in size. The proportion of pupils from a wide range of minority ethnic backgrounds is broadly average. At about one pupil in seven, the proportion of disadvantaged pupils eligible for additional funding known as the pupil premium, is below average.

This is additional government funding which, in this school, supports pupils who are known to be eligible for free school meals. At about one pupil in 10, the proportion of disabled pupils and those who have special educational needs, is below average. The headteacher took up the post in September 2013.

The previous headteacher had been in post for 25 years. The school provides a daily breakfast club for pupils. The school meets the government's current floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress in reading, writing and mathematics.

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