R A Butler Junior School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils flourish in this caring community and they understand their place in a much larger, richly diverse world. Pupils meet their teachers' overwhelmingly high expectations and achieve incredibly well.

Pupils are safe. Staff have pupils' well-being at the forefront of their minds. Pupils take care of each other.

Pupils value their education. They love their school and are very happy. They participate with enthusiasm in lessons and attend regularly.

They listen carefully to their teachers. Pupils understand that their actions and words can affect how others feel. They reflect on their friends' views and resolve any disagreements without help from adults.
...
They are highly respectful to everyone.

Pupils appreciate the significant extra-curricular opportunities on offer to them. They gain new sporting and artistic skills.

Pupils dance, sing, act and compete in regional competitions. They build confidence and show courage through public speaking. A range of trips and visits enhances their cultural knowledge.

Pupils develop important leadership skills and take on responsibility. Older pupils organise and referee sporting events. They lead assemblies and give master classes to their peers in areas of the curriculum.

The 'ethical entrepreneurs' develop financial and business knowledge. They promote recycling and fair trade within the school and local area.

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

The school's highly ambitious curriculum nurtures compassionate, knowledgeable and vocal global citizens.

The curriculum instils in pupils the '6 Rs'. These are important, positive values which put pupils in good stead for their future lives.

The knowledge pupils gain builds well on what they have learned before.

Teachers possess excellent subject knowledge through the precise training they receive. Teachers present with clarity. They check rigorously that pupils understand.

Pupils recall knowledge with ease and rapidly get to grips with complex ideas.

At the heart of the curriculum is the development of pupils' language. Pupils read with fluency and retell stories in detail.

They apply a range of reading strategies to help them make sense of more demanding texts. The books they read enrich their knowledge of world cultures and religions. Pupils embrace difference and celebrate what unites them.

They do not tolerate any form of prejudice.

Across the curriculum, pupils use accurate subject specific vocabulary to explain their learning. They discuss sophisticated ideas spontaneously in pairs and groups.

This helps them to refine their understanding. In mathematics, for example, pupils reason with confidence. They synthesise knowledge to solve complex problems and to be creative in art and design.

In science pupils carry out precise scientific enquiries. They work well independently. As a result, pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), demonstrate tremendous resilience.

Any pupils who fall behind in reading and mathematics receive precise support and they catch up.

Pupils learn about major issues across the planet such as child labour, war and the experiences of refugees. This helps strengthen pupils' understanding of human rights.

They empathise with those less fortunate. They raise funds for a range of national and international charities.

Pupils write at length in a range of styles with considerable accuracy.

They craft imaginative stories and debate, persuade and inform. This further equips them with a voice to defend their rights. They articulate their views and represent others on the school council and steering group.

The provision for pupils with SEND is exemplary. Leaders adopt innovative approaches to ensure pupils with complex needs access the curriculum. A highly inclusive culture permeates the school.

Pupils understand the importance of equality. Pupils therefore encourage and help their friends with SEND with kindness and sensitivity. Pupils, including those with SEND, achieve exceptionally well.

Outcomes in mathematics, reading and writing are significantly better than national averages.

Leaders have won the hearts and minds of staff, parents and other stakeholders. Parents unanimously endorse the outstanding quality of education their children receive.

Staff are happy because leaders support them to be at their very best. Leaders are rightfully sharing their expertise in other schools in the trust and further afield.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

Also at this postcode