Underhill Community Junior School

Underhill Community Junior School is a primary school for boys and girls from the age of seven to eleven. The school is located in the village of Fortuneswell on the Isle of Portland, Dorset, England.
According to the Good Schools Guide, the school holds a total of 118 pupils.
The school, like all other schools on Portland, has become part of the Isle of Portland Aldridge Community in recent times. From September 2012, the school was re-opened as one campus within the academy rather than being one independent school.
The school's headteacher Alan McKechan retired after 20 years of charge at the school in 2009. He was one of the longest-serving headteachers in Weymouth and Portland. McKechan's send-off from the school was described by the Dorset Echo as a "spectacular event with each step of the day a closely-guarded secret and the whole programme arranged according to the wishes of his pupils." McKechan had been quoted "I will still be keeping in touch as there are such exciting times ahead for education on the Island. I feel it was most fitting that the announcement of the go-ahead for the academy should have been made on my retirement day." He was replaced by headteacher Neil McDermott, who was also head of the nearby Brackenbury Infant School before it closed in 2011.
In December 2005, the school faced threats of closure and amalgamations as falling birth rates in Dorset lead to a major shake-up in the county's education service. Declining numbers in primary and secondary schools prompted the county council to ask whether smaller schools should merge. This never came to fruition.
Building and facilities
The school was built of Portland Stone in 1913 and the hall was added in 1966. In 1992 the school had three new classrooms added, whilst the existing building was successfully modernised. The school facilities include six classrooms and practical areas for science and art, a computer room with 15 networked computers, a reference library and an extensive lending library, a large hall and separate studio for music and drama as well as the school's own fully heated swimming pool. The outdoor facilities include hard play areas, a netball court, a timber play trail and long-jump pit. The school also has arrangement to use the grass playing fields at Tophill Junior School for one afternoon a week.
Ofsted Reports
A full school inspection was completed in June 2003 and the following September report noted that "The social and economic circumstances of the area from which the school draws its pupil are well below average. Pupils start school with standards which are below average." However, the report summed up "Pupils achieve well, reaching standards of attainment which are generally in line with national averages by the time they leave the school at the end of Year 6. The school is well placed to maintain and build
on these standards. Teaching is good overall. It has strengths in planning and in the management of younger pupils but those in Years 5 and 6 are not so well managed and their work is less well marked. The head teacher manages the school well but his leadership is constrained by lack of effective support from other managers and governors. The school has many challenging pupils but works hard to foster constructive relationships; staff care strongly for all those who work and learn there. Assessment is good but the results are not yet used sufficiently to further promote rising standards. The governing body does little to monitor the school and, in consequence, does not meet all statutory requirements. Attendance is below average and so is unsatisfactory. The school is, per pupil, relatively expensive but pupils achieve well and so it provides satisfactory value for money. Since the last inspection, standards of pupils’ work at the end of Year 6 have improved, keeping pace with the rising national trend."
Another full inspection in February 2008 saw the school's overall effectiveness being graded 2, translating to a "good" standard. The majority of the graded criteria translated to a "good" standard. The report noted "This is a good school. There are many strengths, particularly in the personal development andwell-being of pupils, which are good. Pupils enjoy coming to school and behave well. They havepositive relationships and collaborate well with their peers in lessons. Older pupils regularlyhelp younger ones, and the way in which playground buddies help the youngest pupils to feelsafe is a significant strength. Pupils achieve well and attain standards that are average from a below average starting point.Standards rose in 2007 as a result of rigorous monitoring, stability of staffing and good levelsof staff training. Standards at the end of Year 6 in English and science in 2007 were averageand were above average in mathematics. Pupils also do well in information and communicationtechnology (ICT), benefiting from good resources and good teaching in the subject. Standardsin writing dipped in 2007, although they were still average. As a result, good procedures havebeen put in place to improve pupils' writing skills and these are beginning to work. Good teaching across all classes results in good behaviour and good achievement. Teachersknow pupils well and plan many interesting activities and visits from the good curriculum toenhance pupils' knowledge and understanding. Lessons are calm, and focus carefully onimprovement so that pupils make good gains in learning. Clear vision by senior leaders has resulted in good improvement since the last inspection andrising standards across the school. Effective procedures have been established to monitorprogress and these are beginning to inform the school how well it is doing."
In January 2011, the school received an inspection and a following Interim Assessment statement in May. The favourable report stated "I am pleased to provide some important information about Underhill Community Junior School.As you may know, during its last inspection in February 2008, Ofsted inspectors judged your child's school to be good. Schools which are performing well are nowinspected less often than other schools. 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. As a result, the next full inspection will not take place any earlier than the summer term 2012."

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