Oakwood Junior School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Oakwood Junior School is a special place for pupils to learn and grow. Pupils and staff follow the core values of 'positivity, resilience, kindness, aspiration and respect'. Pupils are happy and talk with enthusiasm about school life.

They are ready to learn and enjoy their lessons. The school has high expectations for every pupil.

Pupils value the rewards they earn for doing their best.

Pupils make a positive contribution to the school. They develop their leadership skills as school councillors, reading ambassadors and anti-bullying ambassadors. Many pupils attend clubs in school and enjoy activities where they develop their interests.

They talk pos...itively about clubs for science, gymnastics, chess, crochet, dance, choir, netball, football, and the well-being wellies.

Pupils' behaviour is excellent in classrooms and at social times. They show respect for each other and for staff.

Bullying is rare. If it does happen, it is not tolerated and is dealt with quickly. Pupils feel safe.

Pupils say that they are proud to belong to Oakwood Junior School because it gives them 'so many opportunities'. They use words to describe the school, such as 'spectacular', 'remarkable', 'magical', and 'inspiring', and they say it is 'open to everyone'.

What does the school do well and what does it need to do better?

The curriculum has been carefully designed to be relevant to the pupils and community that the school serves.

The curriculum is ambitious for all pupils, including pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). It sets out the important knowledge that pupils need to learn and the order in which they need to learn it. Pupils revisit what they have learned through regular memory tasks.

This helps pupils to know more and remember more. Teachers check to find out what pupils know.

Reading is a priority at this school.

Books are central to everything the school does. Pupils read carefully chosen, engaging texts in their English lessons. Many initiatives ensure that pupils love reading and are highly motivated to do so.

Staff are trained to teach the systematic phonics programme to those pupils at an early stage of reading. Daily phonics sessions are highly structured. Teachers read daily to pupils.

Pupils practise their reading and become fluent. They say they enjoy reading.

The school's vision, 'Every Child is a Learner and Can Achieve', is inclusive.

This means pupils with SEND are provided for well. Staff quickly identify pupils with SEND. Plans to support their learning are clear and used well by teachers.

Pupils with SEND access the full curriculum. Teachers adapt their teaching to meet the needs of pupils with SEND. Staff receive training to provide well-planned support in lessons.

Pupils who struggle to manage their feelings and behaviour are given the help they need.Staff know pupils and their families well. They work closely with families to promote attendance.

However, some pupils are absent from school too often. The school has made changes to, and improved the systems for, managing attendance to make the expectations clear to all parents. This is beginning to have an impact.

The curriculum that supports pupils' personal development is exceptional. The school provides opportunities that widen pupils' horizons and develop their character. Pupils have an excellent understanding of the fundamental British values.

They develop a strong understanding of world religions. Pupils learn how to keep themselves healthy and safe. They learn about the importance of good mental health and how to recognise 'anxiety on the outside'.

Staff teach pupils about healthy relationships. Pupils fundraise and look after Ron, the school's much-loved well-being dog. The school helps pupils to become responsible and thoughtful citizens.

Staff complete training to ensure that they teach this curriculum effectively.

The trust and the local governing board know the school well. They challenge the school effectively and strategically monitor the progress the school is making.

Staff enjoy working at the school. A comment typical of many was, 'The school is brilliant at making sure staff are looked after well.'

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

• Too many pupils do not attend school regularly enough. As a result, they do not benefit from the curriculum and wider experiences offered by the school. The school should ensure that those pupils who require it receive the necessary support to enable them to attend regularly.

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