Foxhills Junior School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils at Foxhills are keen to learn and do well. Leaders have carefully created a curriculum and environment that motivates and excites pupils. As a result, they work hard and do well.

Opportunities abound for pupils to be part of the wider life of the school, from leading assemblies to supporting others at playtimes. Pupils are highly involved in, and proud of, their school.

Expectations of behaviour and achievement are high.

Pupils know that the school values of 'care, learn, enjoy, achieve, reflect' underpin everything. They strive to model them in everything they do. They were clear that any form of discrimination would not be tolerated.

Pupils ...have confidence in staff to deal effectively with any form of bullying, which is rare. In lessons, pupils behave well and apply themselves diligently to their learning.

Pupils are well cared for.

They in turn care for each other. Adults across the school build warm relationships with pupils. As a result, pupils feel valued and secure.

Staff want the very best for their pupils. They know pupils very well and make sure that pupils get the right help to be successful.

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

Leaders and teaching staff are dedicated and hard working.

They share a total commitment to ensure that all pupils do as well as they can. As a result, pupils attain well. Committed, knowledgeable governors echo the determination that every child will be prepared to lead a successful life.

The senior team constantly reflects on what it offers pupils. Its members refine and improve things in a quest to provide the very best education for pupils. Parents, governors, staff and pupils rightly have a high degree of trust in school leaders to do this.

Leaders have strengthened the teaching of reading. Throughout the school, teachers focus on helping pupils to build their vocabulary and understanding. In addition, they read regularly to pupils.

As a result, pupils are keen readers who use a range of texts well to help them in their learning. Pupils who need extra help benefit from additional teaching, including in their phonics, to help them to catch up quickly.

The curriculum has been carefully organised using both the school's combined subject 'project' approach and some specific subject teaching.

In some subjects, such as mathematics, history and PE, pupils build on what they know and can do well and attain highly. In other subjects, such as art, music and modern foreign languages, learning is not as well sequenced because plans are not yet as carefully focused on building and deepening knowledge over time.

Leaders have created a culture where staff feel very well supported.

They provide highly effective training for staff. Staff also benefit from working collaboratively to share expertise. Subject leaders are passionate and keen to develop the teaching of their subjects with ongoing support from more experienced leaders.

Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are well supported. Leaders quickly identify their needs and appropriate plans are then put in place. Teaching assistants are well trained.

They work effectively with teachers to plan activities that are well matched to the needs of the pupil. As a result, pupils with SEND experience success and grow in confidence.

Classrooms are calm and purposeful places.

Pupils are polite, caring and considerate towards each another. In lessons, they listen to their teachers and try their best.

Leaders ensure that the pupils' personal development is of central importance.

They take great care to make sure that everyone benefits from special visits and activities around this. For example, the RED Force (Rights, Equalities, Discrimination team) recently visited parliament. It then led an assembly to share what its members learned with everyone.

The new CARES (Community, Assertiveness, Relationships, Emotions, Sex Ed) personal development programme is leading the way in weaving this type of learning through the taught curriculum.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

Keeping pupils safe is a top priority.

Parents, pupils and staff all agree that pupils are safe in school. Staff are well trained to spot if a pupil is at risk of harm. They know how to report any concerns they might have.

Leaders act quickly on any concerns and work effectively with a range of agencies to support pupils and their families.

Pupils are taught to keep safe in a range of situations, including when online.

What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

In some subjects, such as mathematics, English, history and PE, pupils are very well supported to practise, build on and secure their knowledge and skills through a carefully planned curriculum.

This is not yet fully the case in all of the foundation subjects. Leaders should continue their effective work in developing the curriculum so that pupils achieve highly across the breadth of subjects. Senior leaders should continue supporting subject leaders to help them to ensure that developments in the curriculum are successful and any ongoing needs are identified.

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