William Austin Junior School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school The headteacher, working in close partnership with the deputy headteacher, has successfully established a culture of high expectations across the school.

This has helped the school to improve considerably since its previous inspection. Pupils thrive in the positive atmosphere, rising to the demands of a challenging curriculum. They are very well prepared for their next step in education by the end of Year 6.

Over the last two years, sustained and accelerated progress across the school means that pupils are now achieving well in English and mathematics. Differences in the achievement of different groups of pupils have narrowed or been elim...inated. Key factors in teaching which have helped to raise levels of attainment include effective planning across year groups and consistently good marking and feedback which pupils routinely act on to improve their work.

Pupils behave well in lessons and around the school. They are keen to learn and enjoy lessons. Pupils feel safe because they are well looked after and cared for.

The wide range of subjects taught is very well supplemented with an extensive range of clubs and enrichment activities such as world book day. A strong and effective focus on staff development has enabled the quality of teaching to improve well since the previous inspection. It is now good.

Effective systems and processes for leading and managing the school are well established. Leaders at all levels are working cohesively to improve the school further. Governors are improving their roles well.

They ask searching questions and are increasingly involved in checking for themselves how well the school is working. It is not yet an outstanding school because : Sometimes, work is too hard for lower-attaining pupils or not quite hard enough for the most able. Teachers do not always give pupils enough time to practise what they are learning or complete the work they have been given.

Good initiatives in promoting pupils' skills in using more sophisticated English are not fully embedded. This is holding pupils back from making more rapid progress. Full report

Information about this school

William Austin is a much larger school in size compared to most primary and junior schools.

The vast majority of pupils are from minority ethnic backgrounds, the largest groups being of Bangladeshi or Pakistani heritage. A very high proportion of pupils speak English as an additional language, though most are fluent or at more advanced stages of learning English. The proportion of pupils who require special educational needs support is higher than the national average.

The proportion who have a statement or education, health and care plan is also above average. The proportion of pupils who are supported by pupil premium funding (additional government funds to support those who are eligible for free school meals or in the care of the local authority) is above average. The school meets the government's current floor standards, which are the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress in reading, writing and mathematics by the end of Year 6.