Droxford Junior School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

The school's ethos of preparing pupils to 'navigate life successfully' is fully borne out by pupils who strive to achieve their best. Pupils demonstrate the school's highly ambitious learning culture, talking confidently and knowledgeably about topics across different subjects. Pupils apply the school's four 'skills for learning' with enthusiasm.

Consequently, they tackle new learning purposefully, work well together to share and shape their thinking and grapple with tricky learning activities. Their positive attitudes support their high achievement.

The school community is vibrant and positive.

Pupils know each other well and have warm relationships with sta...ff. At playtime, pupils happily make up games and make sure that no one is left out. Around school, they behave responsibly and courteously.

Older pupils are strong role models, who frequently support and help younger pupils.

Participation is at the heart of the school. Pupils value the broad range of opportunities, where they learn new skills and interests.

They talk with pride about their work to look after the school allotment or competitions, like building a racing car in 'Drox Stem'. A parent captures the view of many when they say that 'the school goes over and above to support our children and develop them as lifelong learners'.

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

The school's curriculum design is ambitious and highly effective.

Important knowledge is carefully organised alongside skills so that pupils develop high levels of understanding and can explain complex concepts. Pupils draw on links made between subjects which deepens their explanations of ideas. A sharp focus on identifying and meeting the needs of individuals, including pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), means these pupils achieve highly.

Over recent years, the school has fully refined the writing curriculum, including responding rapidly to lower writing outcomes in 2023. Current pupils write fluently and richly for different purposes.

The teaching of reading is exceptional, and pupils learn well, as reflected in the 2023 National Curriculum Test outcomes.

The curriculum draws on a diverse range of texts so that pupils read widely, develop broad vocabulary and learn how to critically review content. Pupils can precisely express their views and explain their thinking in writing and during class discussions. For pupils who struggle with reading, targeted daily phonics catch-up sessions help them to become confident and fluent readers.

Teachers have expert knowledge. Across subjects, they use this to model new ideas effectively. They routinely check pupils' understanding using well-considered questions and address aspects where pupils' thinking is incorrect.

Regular and specific feedback means that all pupils know how to improve their work and quickly act on this to make improvements. Learning activities are well resourced and carefully chosen so that they are engaging and challenging. Astute adaptations to activities help pupils with SEND to achieve the same ambitious depth of understanding as others.

Behaviour is exemplary across the school. Pupils have highly positive attitudes to learning. They present their work with pride and consistently complete activities to a high standard.

They approach new learning keenly and attentively listen to teachers' explanations. Staff encourage pupils to share their ideas and pupils are comfortable to suggest ideas even when they are not sure because they understand that this is part of learning. Around school, pupils are considerate and kind.

When playing, they treat the school's equipment respectfully and make sure that they share it.

There is a rich approach to developing pupils' character. Through the curriculum and wider opportunities like visits, pupils develop broader perspectives and moral views about life beyond the Meon Valley.

This means they develop understanding of how society is diverse and can offer views about current world issues. They learn about the local environment through a range of projects and develop awareness of how to co-exist responsibly with it. Pupils regularly experience being active citizens, contributing to the school and local community.

This includes through the school council which drives projects from fundraising to plans for making the school more sustainable.

The school carefully identifies further improvements and takes a considered approach to making sure changes are fully embedded. This includes being mindful of any potential impact on staff workload.

Staff feel this positively impacts their well-being, so they are able to focus on teaching well. Governors have sharp oversight of the school's work, which they use to support and challenge leaders effectively.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

Also at this postcode