Kirk Sandall Junior School

Overview

Kirk Sandall Junior School is described as a “nurturing and inclusive school” where pupils achieve well and feel safe. The inspection found that leaders have created a “very welcoming and calm school” with a “high quality” curriculum that effectively supports all pupils, particularly those facing additional barriers.

Strengths

• Pupils “consistently achieve well from their starting points,” with outcomes at the end of key stage 2 sitting “above national averages in most areas.”
• Disadvantaged pupils and those with special educational needs and/or disabilities make “impressive progress” and are “fully included in every aspect of school life.”
• Attendance is a “clear priority,” with leaders using “rigorous regular analysis” to spot absence patterns early, resulting in attendance rates below the national average.
• Behaviour is “highly positive,” with bullying being “extremely rare” and staff dealing with incidents “promptly.”
• Teaching is “consistently highly effective,” with teachers explaining new learning clearly and addressing gaps or misconceptions “straight away.”

Areas to improve

• Leaders and governors should continue to work towards their priorities for improvement to “drive a transformational impact for all pupils.”
• Leaders should continue to share this successful work “across the trust and beyond.”

Safeguarding

The safeguarding standards are met, with an “open culture in which safeguarding is everyone's responsibility” ensuring pupils are “made safer and feel safe.”