Stocksbridge Junior School has been inspected four times; initially in 1997, secondly in 2002, thirdly in 2006 and more recently in 2015. All four inspections have been very successful. In 2005, the school was listed by OFSTED as one of the top schools in the country as a result of the 1997 and 2002 inspections.
2015 Inspection Report
Ofsted inspectors visited our school to carry out an inspection on Wednesday 11th and Thursday 12th February 2015. We are delighted that the school has achieved its fourth ‘OUTSTANDING’ result in succession since 1997.
Under the current inspection framework, schools are judged in five areas. Stocksbridge Junior School has achieved the highest possible grade of ‘outstanding’ in all five areas!
Leadership & Management – OUTSTANDING
Behaviour & Safety of the Pupils – OUTSTANDING
Quality of Teaching – OUTSTANDING
Achievement of Pupils – OUTSTANDING
Overall Effectiveness – OUTSTANDING
Quotes from the report:
- Stocksbridge (Junior) is a school where all leaders, managers and staff strive for excellence in order to provide the best education for all pupils. This results in the pupils’ outstanding achievement.
The headteacher, supported extremely well by senior and middle leaders and governors, provides the school with very strong highly effective leadership and clear direction. - The school’s lively, rich curriculum engages pupils’ interests fully so they become absorbed in their learning and lessons. These appealing activities, that encourage pupils to think deeply and discuss their ideas with their classmates, promote outstanding progress.
- The school has an unquestionable commitment to ensuring every pupil has an equal opportunity to succeed.
- Pupils are proud to be part of a school, which they describe as being ‘amazing’, ‘fun’, ‘friendly’, ‘caring’ and ‘loving’.
- Pupils’ polite, courteous and considerate behaviour ensures that everyone enjoys working in, and being part of, this harmonious community.
- Teaching across the school is consistently good with much that is outstanding and contributes significantly to high standards and outstanding progress.
- All groups of pupils… achieve exceptional well.
- Pupils are very well prepared for life in modern Britain.
What should the school do to further improve?
The school has only one area for development:
- Improve the use of the school’s grounds to develop outdoor learning and provide activities for pupils at playtimes.
Previous inspections
2010 Interim inspection
In 2010, Ofsted carried out an interim assessment of Stocksbridge Junior School. Subsequently, the following letter was sent to all parents:
Dear Parent,
I am pleased to provide some important information about Stocksbridge Junior School.
As you may know, during its last inspection in December 2006, Ofsted inspectors judged your child’s school to be outstanding. School which are performing well are now inspected less often than other schools.
Some outstanding schools are inspected after three years; others may have their inspections put back. To help decide whether we can wait longer than three years before undertaking a full inspection of an outstanding school, such as your child’s, Her Majesty’s Inspectors look at various sources of information, as listed below. This is called an ‘interim assessment’.
The results of the interim assessment
In carrying out the interim assessment, we considered the following:
- Pupils’ academic performance
- Pupils’ attendance
- Any visits carried out by Ofsted since the last inspection
- Complaints about the school by parents and carers
- Any other significant issues brought to Ofsted’s attention
I am pleased to inform you that our interim assessment shows that the school’s performance has been sustained and that we can defer its next full inspection.
Yours sincerely,
Christine Gilbert
2006 Inspection Report
The following report focuses on our most recent inspection which took place in December 2006 and looked at all aspects of school life as well as teaching and learning.
Overall Conclusion:
‘This is an outstanding school.’
Main findings from the 2006 report:
- School offers a stimulating curriculum.
- Pupils reach exceptionally high standards in English, Maths and Science by the end of Year 6.
- Consistently outstanding teaching and learning.
- Pupils’ personal development is exemplary.
- Pupils speak of their school with pride.
- Outstanding leadership and management.
- School is outwardly looking at every opportunity.
- Pupils receive the best possible guidance and opportunities to improve.
- Excellent relationships flourish at all levels in this supportive school community.
- Outstanding support systems for all pupils
- Pupils achieve very well and attain consistently high standards
- School provides excellent value for money
What should the school do to further improve?
School has only one area for development:
- To further raise standards in writing so more pupils attain the higher levels.