Marnel Junior School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils thrive at this highly ambitious and inclusive school.

They live up to the school's expectations and burst with pride about their high achievements, both academically and pastorally.

The school's culture is shaped by its well-known learning behaviours. Relationships between staff and pupils are exceptionally strong and based on mutual respect.

As a result, pupils behave impeccably well. They are attentive and enthusiastic in lessons. Over lunchtime, they benefit from an impressive range of activities, including archery, a sandpit, dancing to music and making crafts in the lodge.

Staff and pupil play leaders are on hand to help others, showing g...reat empathy and kindness. There is a school-wide harmonious and caring atmosphere, which means pupils are happy and safe.

Pupils learn how to be responsible and active citizens through a wide range of community links.

They have a genuine understanding of fundamental British values and why they matter. The school makes meaningful relationships with local businesses and therefore ensures that all pupils have toast and fruit freely available to them. Wider opportunities include playing golf at a local club and participating in a dance competition in London.

Pupils know how they can contribute to society, and this builds their future hopes and aspirations.

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

The school is unrelenting in its ambition for all pupils, both academically and pastorally. This ambition is highly evident in the design of the curriculum.

It reflects the context and experiences of pupils in this diverse community. In every subject, the content is carefully considered to make sure all pupils build the knowledge and skills they need. As a result, all pupils, including those who are disadvantaged, achieve highly.

Teaching staff appreciate the extensive professional development they receive and how well they are supported by leaders to provide pupils with a high-quality learning experience.

Pupils are highly successful and enthusiastic readers because the school places great emphasis on the teaching of reading. Pupils recognise that reading is the key to unlocking doors into wider learning and the world.

In lessons, they skilfully explore and analyse a wide range of texts. Teachers expertly use their questioning skills to deepen and check pupils' understanding. Those who need extra help with their reading are identified quickly and supported by well-trained staff.

The reading reward scheme is highly effective at motivating pupils to read. They wear their many badges with pride and talk with enthusiasm about their favourite books and authors. Pupils enjoy visiting the school library and choosing books to take home, under the careful guidance of the proud pupil librarians.

High-quality resources aid pupils' learning effectively. They use them appropriately and with great care and respect. In mathematics, pupils independently select equipment that allows them to be efficient and successful mathematicians.

Across the wider curriculum, pupils enjoy practical investigations, where they work well collaboratively and show perseverance with their learning. In debates and discussions, pupils show respect for others' views and make thoughtful contributions.

Disadvantaged pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), achieve extremely well.

This is because, in every subject, there is careful consideration of where individual pupils may need extra help and what this should look like. Teachers routinely check and assess all pupils' learning and use this information to shape their teaching. Skilled staff run catch-up interventions and pre-teaching sessions, which help pupils to learn and be ready to learn more.

The school ensures that any pupils who need specialist support for their mental health and well-being receive it. The level of pastoral care offered by the school is impressive.

The school's work to promote pupils' attendance is highly effective.

It is based on leaders' clear rationale that the curriculum is right for the pupils at this school. As a result, pupils want to attend because they are excited by their learning and wider opportunities. Families are supported well to understand why school attendance is so important.

One parent sums up the views of many when they say, 'I'm honestly jealous of my child, as their school day sounds fantastic. I would wholeheartedly encourage anyone to send their child to Marnel Juniors.'

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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