Churnet View Middle School

Overview

Churnet View Middle School has taken effective action to maintain the standards identified at the previous inspection. Pupils enjoy school, attend regularly, and feel safe within a calm environment characterised by high expectations and consistent routines. Most pupils are well prepared for high school by the time they leave in Year 8, despite some challenges in specific academic areas.

Strengths

• The school has designed an ambitious curriculum with literacy and numeracy at its heart, which is having a positive impact on achievement.
• Consistently applied behaviour routines, known as the ‘five bees’, ensure lessons are largely free of low-level disruptive behaviour and corridors are calm.
• Teachers make suitable adaptations for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), who consequently achieve well.
• Staff workload is managed effectively, leading to overwhelmingly positive views from staff, parents, and pupils.
• Governors possess considerable expertise in education, providing effective support and challenge to the school.

Areas to improve

• Leaders should ensure their focus on reading and mathematics continues to improve standards, as some pupils remain below average and require additional support for Year 7.
• The school should ensure pupils receive work matched to their needs to prevent disengagement and lost learning time when they finish quickly or get stuck.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.