Cunningham Hill Junior School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

The sky is the limit for pupils at this school. Pupils are happy and thrive in a culture of kindness and very high expectations.

There are a wealth of opportunities for pupils to try new things during their time here. As a result, pupils are aspirational and committed to the hard work that will secure their success in many different fields.

Pupils are keen to challenge themselves.

They develop persistence and resilience. They have confidence that their teachers will help them tackle new skills in small steps so they can be successful. Pupils remember and build on what they learn.

As a result, pupils reach very high standards across the curriculum..../>
Behaviour in lessons and around the school is excellent. Pupils are highly respectful of their teachers and each other.

Pupils encourage and support one another. They find their lessons interesting and enjoyable, so they are absorbed in their learning.

Pupils have many opportunities to develop their leadership skills, for example through helping around the school as play leaders or as part of the school council.

Older pupils maturely help their younger peers to practise their reading and mathematical skills. Older pupils take pride in ensuring that everyone is included at breaktimes.

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

Together, school leaders at every level have established a clear and consistent vision that underpins their ongoing reflection and improvement.

The commitment of leaders to promoting well-being and collaboration includes staff as well as pupils. As a result, they have built a stable, effective team with a shared commitment to providing the best possible outcomes for pupils, both academically and socially.

The ambitious curriculum sets out the knowledge for pupils to learn as they move across the school.

The school has considered carefully the most important learning and vocabulary at every stage and made links between subjects. Skilful teachers constantly check how well pupils are understanding and adjust their teaching straight away. As a result, pupils revise and secure key knowledge before being ready to move on and extend their learning.

Pupils have a love of books and a thirst for reading. They are inspired to read high-quality books by the recommendations of their classmates and the librarian. Pupils who fall behind with reading get extra help straight away.

They practise reading with a wide selection of finely graded books. They rapidly catch up, and develop as fluent, confident readers.

Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) get the right help.

Teachers anticipate where extra resources or explanations will make tricky concepts easier for pupils with SEND to grasp. They put these in place straight away so that pupils with SEND are skilfully included in lessons. Staff provide additional, bespoke sessions to develop specific skills.

They provide plenty of prompts, praise and encouragement, so that pupils with SEND are confident to participate in learning and social times with their peers. As a result, pupils with SEND achieve highly.

The school vigorously promotes regular, punctual attendance for all pupils.

It provides extra support for families who need it, so that pupils can take advantage of the opportunities available to them.

The school has established clear expectations and routines for behaviour. Pupils know and follow the rules.

Lessons run smoothly and learning time is maximised. Pupils have a high degree of self-control. They are keen to demonstrate the school motto of 'Do as you would be done by' in their relationships with others.

Pupils are proud to be tolerant and inclusive. They value difference and learn from each other about a range of world cultures. Pupils know about the importance of a healthy diet and exercise.

They also rightly prioritise their mental health and well-being. Pupils recognise the value of moderation in all things. An extensive range of extra-curricular activities enables them to develop new skills and talents.

This includes karate, orchestra, stop-motion animation and calligraphy. Older pupils run some of these clubs, including at the linked infant school.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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