Finedon Mulso Church of England Junior School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Finedon Mulso Junior School provides a happy and caring environment for its pupils.

Pupils enjoy coming to school. They display positive attitudes to all aspects of school life. The school is inclusive.

Pupils say that everyone feels welcome here. The school's values support its Christian ethos. Pupils understand these values well.

They demonstrate them through their actions.

Pupils say that they feel safe in this school. Bullying does not happen often.

If it does happen, leaders deal with it quickly. Leaders have planned a 'Thriving at Finedon' curriculum for behaviour. Pupils are calm and orderly in classrooms and around school.

D...isruptions to learning are rare.

Pupils enjoy a wide range of extra-curricular opportunities. These include day trips and residential visits, where they take part in outdoor activities.

They also enjoy lots of clubs in school, such as dance, choir, board games and art, as well as a range of sports. The school choir performs at church and community events. Year 6 pupils perform a play at the local theatre.

Leaders encourage all pupils to take part in these activities. Pupils learn how to be fit and healthy. They all take part in a daily skipping session.

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

Leaders have planned ambitious curriculums for all subjects. They have identified the important knowledge and vocabulary they want pupils to learn. These plans help teachers to know what pupils should learn and when.

Teachers plan lesson activities that help pupils build on what they already know. This helps pupils to deepen their understanding.

In lessons, teachers ask questions to check what pupils can remember.

When pupils have gaps in their understanding, teachers support them well. Teachers are knowledgeable. They present knowledge to pupils clearly.

Teachers regularly revisit topics that pupils have learned before. This helps pupils to remember what they have learned.

Leaders have put an emphasis on language and communication across the curriculum.

Teachers give pupils opportunities to talk about what they are learning. They teach pupils the correct vocabulary they need to express themselves clearly. In lessons, pupils discuss their ideas with each other.

They talk about their learning confidently.

In most subjects, leaders have planned carefully how they will check pupils' learning over time. They know how well pupils are learning.

Teachers use this information to plan lessons that meet the needs of all pupils. In some subjects, leaders have not yet planned well enough how they will check what pupils have learned.

Leaders know the pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) well.

They help teachers provide support for pupils with SEND to access all learning activities. Pupils with SEND achieve well.

Leaders and teachers are passionate about reading.

Teachers use a phonics programme to help pupils who struggle with reading to catch up. Pupils practise reading from books that match their reading ability. Teachers give pupils lots of time to read.

This helps pupils improve their reading fluency. Teachers read stories to pupils every day. Pupils enjoy reading.

They benefit from a well-resourced library.

Almost all pupils behave well in lessons and around school. They are polite and respectful.

A small number of pupils struggle to regulate their own behaviour. Leaders provide effective support for these pupils.

Leaders have prioritised making sure that all pupils attend school regularly.

Most pupils attend school well. However, a significant minority of disadvantaged pupils are absent from school too often.

There is a well-planned curriculum for personal, social and health education (PSHE).

Pupils learn about British values and diversity. They are well prepared for their lives ahead. Leaders check on pupils' mental health and well-being.

They provide support when pupils need it.

Members of staff say that their leaders are supportive of their well-being and considerate of their workload. Leaders are well supported by the academy trust.

Trust directors and governors know the school well. They provide effective challenge to leaders.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

Leaders know the risks that pupils might face. They teach pupils how to keep themselves safe. This includes learning how to keep themselves safe online.

Pupils know who they can talk to if they need help.

All members of staff receive regular training updates. They all know their role in keeping pupils safe and well.

Staff know how to record concerns about pupils. Leaders follow up any concerns quickly. They keep detailed records.

Leaders provide support for families. They work well with other agencies where necessary.

What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

• A significant minority of disadvantaged pupils are absent from school too often.

They miss too many lessons and do not have the opportunity to follow the curriculum in full. Leaders need to ensure that all pupils attend school well. ? In some foundation subjects, leaders have not planned well enough how they will check that pupils can remember the important knowledge they have learned.

Leaders do not know how well pupils are following the curriculum in these subjects. Teachers do not have the information they need to adapt plans to meet pupils' needs. Leaders need to plan how teachers should check what pupils can remember about what they have learned.