Christ Church (Church of England) Junior School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

This is a happy junior school. Pupils feel safe because the adults here really care about them.

The school wants every child to do their very best and aims high for everyone. Pupils attain well in national assessments. The school helps all pupils to succeed and overcome any challenges.

Parents and carers agree, and one parent represented many others when saying, 'They set the bar high. If you want to build a school, build it like this one.'

The school's Christian values of respect, love, kindness, honesty, perseverance and friendship guide everything it does.

Pupils behave well around school and are polite to visitors. They learn about their own fai...th and also show respect and understanding for other religions and cultures. There are strong and productive links with a school in Kenya.

Everyone is welcome at Christ Church Junior School.

Pupils benefit from an extensive range of activities which promote their personal development. The many activities include trips, visits, residentials and after-school clubs.

Pupils' talents are nurtured and celebrated. For example, pupils who are talented musicians play the piano as pupils enter assembly. They also coach other pupils who have similar interests but benefit from some extra help.

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

The school has made sure that all pupils receive a broad and engaging curriculum, starting from when they enter the school. The school has identified the important knowledge they want pupils to learn. This learning builds over time.

The school has recently revised the curriculum in a small number of subjects. These subjects are at an earlier stage of implementation. Some of the pupils' knowledge in these subjects is not as strong as it is in others.

Nevertheless, pupils are benefiting from these positive changes.

Teachers explain and model learning clearly. They select appropriate activities and helpful resources.

The school identifies pupils' needs early and ensures that it provides prompt and appropriate support. Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) access all activities. Teachers are skilled in making adaptations to learning to ensure that these pupils achieve well alongside their peers.

Reading is a priority at this school. The few pupils who need help with phonics get extra support so they can catch up quickly. Teachers are trained well and do a great job helping pupils with reading.

They carefully check how everyone is doing. Pupils confidently use their phonics knowledge when reading and spelling words. Pupils who struggle are supported to become fluent readers.

Staff carefully use assessment to make sure pupils practise reading with books of appropriate difficulty. All pupils regularly read to their teacher. Teachers read to pupils every day too.

Pupils enjoy listening to their teachers read enthusiastically, developing their love for reading. Most pupils enjoy practising their reading skills at home by reading books from the school's extensive library.

The school makes sure that everyone understands how important attendance is, providing both support and encouragement to families.

All families' needs are considered, and bespoke support is provided to help them. The school does all that it can to ensure that pupils attend school often. Pupils are well behaved around the school.

They show respect and good manners to each other and any adults that they meet. In most lessons, pupils behave extremely well and are keen to learn.

There are many opportunities for pupils to contribute to the life of the school.

For example, pupils take on roles including head boy, head girl, school councillors and prefects. Pupils learn how to keep themselves healthy and safe. They learn about healthy relationships and managing their emotions.

The school enhances its curriculum offer with a variety of trips. For example, pupils speak with passion about their trip to a prison museum where they learned about crime and punishment in history.

Staff are proud and happy to work at the school.

Leaders, including those responsible for governance, are considerate of their well-being. Staff appreciate the support of all leaders.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

• The curriculum has recently been revised in a small number of subjects and is at an earlier stage of implementation. In these subjects, pupils' knowledge is not as secure as it is in others. The school should ensure that all staff receive the training and support that they need so these subjects are delivered consistently well and that pupils can learn and remember more.