Devonshire Junior Academy
Auckland Road, Smethwick, B67 7ATOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Devonshire Junior Academy is a primary school in Smethwick for ages 7 to 11. It is one of the 133 schools in Sandwell. It ranks 6th of 15 primary schools in Smethwick. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in November 2013.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 28 November 2013, report published 18 December 2013
- Overall effectiveness
- Good
- Leadership and management
- Good
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 21 September 2022
Devonshire Junior Academy is a happy place to be and all pupils are welcomed. Leaders aim for pupils to be 'Ready, Respectful and Safe'. They set high expectations, and pupils fulfil them. Pupils behave exceptionally well when moving around the school and in lessons. Pupils are helpful, kind and respectful towards others. They live by the school values and they love learning. Bullying happens rarely, but if it does happen, pupils know that staff will sort it out. Pupils enjoy positive relationships with teachers. Pupils' successes in school or beyond are celebrated in weekly assemblies. Leaders ensure that all pupils can experience success in after-school activities such as debating, art and science clubs. The debating society competed impressively at Oxford University in the national schools debating competition. Pupils develop self-belief through these exciting experiences. They readily take on leadership roles such as librarians or young Police Community Support Officers. Pupils' education is enriched with trips such as a day at the seaside and visits to art galleries and places of worship. The school is at the heart of the community. Parents appreciate the support the school provides for their children and families very much.
What the school should improve
- Teachers do not give pupils enough opportunities to explain their learning in detail. This means that pupils struggle to articulate their thinking. Teachers need to create more opportunities for pupils to respond at length to their questions, allowing time for pupils to discuss and formulate high-quality verbal responses, justify their answers and challenge others.
- Teachers do not match reading books well enough to the letters and sounds weaker readers are learning. This means that pupils cannot easily practise the letters and sounds they need to help them learn to read. Leaders should ensure that teachers match reading books more precisely to the correct phonics phase for these pupils.
Exam results
SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25
86 pupils took the tests
Pupil numbers and mix
349 pupils on roll, with places for 360
Schools near Devonshire Junior Academy
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Devonshire Infant Academy | 0.1 miles | Ofsted judgements: Good to outstanding | Not published |
| Crocketts Community Primary School | 0.4 miles | Ofsted judgements: Good to outstanding | 65% met the expected standard |
| Uplands Manor Primary School and Nursery | 0.6 miles | Ofsted: Good | 55% met the expected standard |
| Galton Valley Primary School | 0.7 miles | Ofsted: Good | 71% met the expected standard |
| Annie Lennard Primary School | 0.8 miles | Ofsted judgements: Good | 62% met the expected standard |
School details
- School type
- Academy converter
- Sector
- Academy
- Trust
- VICTORIA ACADEMIES TRUST
- Age range
- 7 to 11
- Gender
- Mixed
- Nursery classes
- No
- Headteacher
- Mrs Elise Waldron
- Phone
- 01215581654
- Address
- Auckland Road, Smethwick, B67 7AT
- Local authority
- Sandwell
- URN
- 141292
School details from Get Information about Schools, 17 September 2026. Ofsted outcomes published to 31 August 2026. Exam results for 2024/25 from the Department for Education. Pupil mix from the school census, 2025/26.