Anston Park Junior School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Leaders have focused on developing the curriculum. However, in some subjects, there is still work to do. For example, leaders have not broken down what they want pupils to know into smaller steps of learning or identified the most important knowledge in each subject.

Nonetheless, Anston Park Juniors is a welcoming and friendly school. Pupils say that they enjoy coming to school. They attend well.

Most pupils are well behaved, polite and kind to others. They know the importance of healthy relationships, valuing difference and treating others with respect. However, some pupils do not always show respect to their peers.

Pupils say that, although bullying does ha...ppen, it is rare. Pupils know that bullying can be verbal, physical or take place online. They have learned about the importance of being an 'upstander' not a 'bystander'.

Roles such as reading mentors, learning ambassadors and sports leaders help pupils to develop responsibility and leadership skills. Reading mentors enjoy keeping book areas tidy and choosing books for others to enjoy. Pupils enjoy visits to Whitby and the Crucial Crew, where they learn about different aspect of keeping safe.

There is a range of sporting activities and clubs on offer for all pupils to enjoy. However, pupils and parents say they would like a wider range of activities to develop pupils' talents and interests in other areas.

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

Some aspects of the curriculum are strong.

Reading for pleasure is visibly promoted throughout the school. Pupils enjoy reading. They have access to high-quality texts through the 'reading menu'.

One pupil was engrossed in the classic novel 'Heidi' and talked in detail about the characters and plot. There is a clear structure to the teaching of reading, which focuses on developing pupils' vocabulary, fluency and comprehension skills. Pupils who are in the early stages of learning to read are well supported.

Leaders are focused on helping pupils to 'crack the reading code'. Regular assessments ensure that gaps in phonic knowledge are identified quickly so that pupils get the help they need to become fluent and confident readers.

Leaders are passionate and knowledgeable about their subjects.

However, in the wider curriculum, they have not currently identified the crucial knowledge that pupils need to learn. As a result, subject leaders are unable to check what pupils know, identify gaps and build on previous learning. Leaders acknowledge that these checks need to be developed.

They have identified this as a priority in their action plans.

In lessons, where teachers present information clearly, pupils successfully achieve the intended learning outcomes. They have positive attitudes to their learning and take pride in their work.

However, when this is not the case, pupils become distracted and lose their engagement with the task. This leads to low-level disruption, which impacts on other pupils' learning.

For pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) some adaptations are made to the curriculum to meet their needs.

However, some pupils with SEND do not access the curriculum alongside their peers and spend long periods of time outside of the classroom with teaching assistants or their learning mentors.

Leaders have recently made changes to the behaviour policy. Pupils enjoy being part of the 'Anston Pupils Just Shine Club', where they are rewarded for good behaviour.

However, some pupils do not know the new rules and feel that the behaviour system is unfair. Some pupils comment that they do not feel safe in class because of the behaviour of some of their peers.

Pupils are taught to value difference and have an understanding of the importance of treating others equally.

They are taught about different religions and cultures. However, pupils are unable to recall important information about different religions and faiths and are unable to make important links between them.

Staff feel supported by leaders at all levels.

The governing body brings a range of experience and expertise to the leadership of the school. Governors understand the school's strengths and what they need to do to improve further.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

Records show that leaders take timely action to ensure pupils are kept safe. They work with local agencies to ensure that vulnerable pupils and their families get the support they need. Leaders ensure that staff receive regular safeguarding training.

This helps to ensure that staff are alert to potential risks and signs of harm. Leaders make the necessary checks on the suitability of adults working at the school.

Pupils know how to keep themselves safe when they are out in the community and online.

They know they can talk to a trusted adult if they have any worries and are confident that they will be listened to.

What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

• In the wider curriculum, leaders have not planned out the small steps of content that build to leaders' ambitious endpoints. They have not identified the precise knowledge they want pupils to learn.

As a result, leaders and teachers are not able to check if pupils have the required knowledge for future learning. Leaders need to break down their ambitious endpoints into sequential steps of learning and identify the most important knowledge that all pupils, including those with SEND, need to know and remember. ? In some subjects, teachers do not implement the curriculum as leaders intend and do not present information with clarity.

As a result, pupils do not remember important learning, and low-level disruption occurs. Leaders must monitor the effectiveness of the curriculum closely to ensure that teachers are supported to use planned approaches consistently. ? Some pupils with SEND do not access the curriculum alongside their peers.

As a result, they do not have access to quality first teaching for a significant amount of their time in school. Leaders should ensure that there are detailed support plans in place for these pupils and ensure that teachers are well equipped to support pupils with SEND to learn well alongside their peers. ? Some pupils do not think that the behaviour policy is fair.

They do not always feel safe in class. This is because a small minority of pupils do not show respect and care for others. Leaders should ensure that these pupils are supported to develop respect, tolerance and kindness to others and that all pupils understand the behaviour policy.

• Pupils do not have sufficient knowledge of the different religions of the world and the beliefs of others. As a result, pupils cannot articulate an understanding of the different religions and beliefs that make up society. Leaders should make sure that teachers provide pupils with opportunities to close any gaps in pupils' knowledge to ensure that they are fully aware of life in modern Britain.

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