Doddinghurst Church of England Junior School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils at Doddinghurst welcome visitors with smiles and kindness. They love to learn and have a good work ethic. Pupils learn a broad and interesting range of subjects.

These help to develop and nurture their talents and interests. Pupils are knowledgeable about the subjects they learn and enjoy the learning experiences that the staff provide. Pupils are well prepared for the next stage in their learning.

Pupils enjoy the different sporting clubs, activities and tournaments the school provides. They are proud to represent their school and they try their best. Pupils of all sporting abilities are encouraged to take part in these events.

This helps pupils to le...arn about the importance of keeping healthy.

Staff have high expectations of pupils and pupils try hard to live up to them. They behave well because they understand the clear rules that are applied fairly.

Pupils have positive relationships with each other and the adults in the school. Pupils are happy and safe.

Pupils have responsibilities in the school that teach them about being positive role models.

For instance, they can become prefects or school councillors. Pupils know that these jobs come with important duties and responsibilities.

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

The school has developed ambitious curriculum plans.

These are broad and develop pupils' knowledge over time. The school has carefully planned all the steps of knowledge that pupils need to learn to be ready for secondary school. Staff have secure subject knowledge.

They explain new learning to pupils clearly and in a way that pupils can understand. Pupils' 'learning passports' help them to recap past learning and think about the subject-specific language they need to remember. Pupils achieve well.

Teachers carry out checks on pupils' understanding. In most subjects, these checks are used effectively to adapt the subject plans. When this happens, pupils' misconceptions are addressed alongside any gaps in their knowledge.

However, this is not the case in all subjects. This means that sometimes pupils' misconceptions are not addressed quickly. Teachers do not always identify gaps in pupils' knowledge accurately.

The school prioritises reading. Pupils enjoy reading and sharing books with school staff. The school makes sure that pupils practise reading every day.

These lessons help pupils to read more fluently and to learn a deep and rich vocabulary. Pupils who are not yet fluent readers learn a well-planned phonics programme. Skilled staff teach them effectively.

This enables pupils to develop into confident and independent readers.

Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) learn the same ambitious curriculum as their peers. The school creates an inclusive environment so that all pupils can have support if they need it and be independent when they can.

Support staff are skilled and know pupils' strengths well. They ably help pupils develop into confident learners and individuals. Most pupils with SEND make strong progress.

Pupils understand democracy. Similarly, pupils are elected to some roles in school. Pupils learn how to debate and express their opinions when learning about topics such as environmental issues.

They understand and can explain how these will affect their future lives. Pupils know that everyone is an individual and that differences should be respected and celebrated.

Pupils are polite and well-mannered.

They show courteous attitudes to visitors and adults. In lessons, pupils are calm and there are few instances where pupils' behaviour disturbs learning. Older pupils show kindness and compassion towards younger pupils.

Leaders of the school and the trust work well together. They have the same aims and ambitions for pupils. The trust supports leaders to work with other schools.

This means they are not working in isolation and can share what works well. Governors ensure they check what school leaders tell them and they create an important link to the community.

Pupils attend well.

The school promotes and encourages good attendance. Leaders see how the school can best support pupils whose attendance is falling.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

• In some subjects, teachers do not always identify gaps in pupils' knowledge and check for misconceptions accurately or quickly enough. Therefore, pupils have misconceptions and gaps in knowledge that are not immediately addressed, and they do not make as much progress as they could. The school must ensure that assessment is used consistently and effectively in all subjects to support planning to address any misconceptions and identify where important knowledge needs to be revisited.

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