Woodfield Junior School still needs to improve, say Ofsted

Woodfield Junior School, which currently has 347 pupils, was first told improvement was needed in 2013.

And while the latest Ofsted report describes it as an 'improving school' several weaknesses have been identified.

• Click here to see the full report

It states there is some variation in how well teachers match interesting work to the range of ability and, as a result, a few pupils are inattentive and do not make the progress expected of them.

The most able pupils were not always challenged to make accelerated progress because teachers did not consistently have high expectations.

Sarah Somers, lead inspector for Ofsted, said: "The best learning occurs when pupils are fully engaged and interested in the tasks provided. For example, during the inspection, in an English lesson pupils were set the task of finding techniques to engage the reader.

"They persevered well with the task because they enjoyed it and could see the relevance of their learning.

"However, in a few classes, pupils are less attentive because they are not engaged in the lesson due to work not being matched to their abilities or because they are not interested."

The report notes that several leaders at the Penn school have been appointed over the last year, including the head of school, inclusion manager and assistant headteacher.

It adds there has been insufficient time to fully see the impact of their work, but leadership and management were not yet 'good.'

Several 'strengths' were identified in the report as well, including safeguarding and the school's 'caring ethos'.

Mrs Somers, added: "Leaders have recently implemented a new behaviour policy which is understood by staff and pupils.

"There are indications that behaviour is improving as a result of raised expectations."