Reigate Priory Community Junior School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils here are 'proud to be Priory', just as the school intends.

As they dash through the gates at the start of the day, pupils are full of enthusiasm for their time in school. They know that the school is ambitious for them to achieve their best, both academically and in a more rounded sense. As a result, they put their best efforts into learning.

This is evident from the high standards pupils achieve by the end of key stage 2, and from the contribution pupils make to school life. Through the 'pupil parliament' and its ministries, pupils take responsibility for areas such as environmental issues.

In class and around the school, pupils are polite and respect...ful.

Having come up with their own playground 'charter', pupils share the space thoughtfully. 'Make a difference' days help pupils to explore themes like anti-bullying. This gives them confidence that staff will help them if they have any worries.

The school's outdoor learning programme helps pupils to develop resilience and determination. Each year group attends residential trips including to Snowdonia. Disadvantaged pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), are fully included in these experiences.

They, like their peers, flourish because of what the school provides for them.

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

Pupils' learning goes beyond what would typically be expected for their age. The curriculum introduces them to thought-provoking and complex ideas.

For example, pupils in Year 5 explore the theme of deception in Shakespeare's Twelfth Night. As part of their learning in modern foreign languages, pupils write to pen-pals in France. At each stage, teachers build pupils' understanding in a clear sequence.

Pupils revisit important ideas to help make connections and comparisons. For example, they can identify similarities and differences between religions. This means that over time, pupils develop a deep understanding of what they have learnt.

Disadvantaged pupils, although few in number, learn exceptionally well throughout the curriculum.

Teachers are highly skilled in their delivery of the curriculum. They set tasks that inspire pupils to extend and apply their learning.'

Knowledge catchers' give teachers a clear picture of what their pupils know and should learn next. Staff are quick to identify the needs of pupils with SEND. Where necessary, they adapt the work set so that all pupils can access the full extent of learning on offer.

An ambitious reading programme is central to the school's success. Weaker readers receive targeted support lessons. They are given books that match their reading capability precisely.

Together, this helps them to develop fluency and a real enjoyment of reading. All pupils benefit from the school's focus on high-quality texts and rich vocabulary. This is reflected in the strong published outcomes for reading.

Leaders have acted sharply to address weaker writing outcomes. For example, teachers' modelling of the writing process is strongly evident in the work pupils produce. This enables pupils to use a range of punctuation and grammatical structures with accuracy.

Attendance is strong, thanks to clear strategic thinking by leaders. Staff understand the issues some families face. They do everything they can to overcome these potential barriers, resulting in high attendance across the school.

Pupils' conduct in lessons contributes strongly to the focused atmosphere in classrooms. As a result, staff and pupils make the most of time for learning.

The school helps all pupils to develop attributes such as curiosity and commitment.

These are woven through the curriculum, and also the programme of clubs. From gardening to coding, these are very popular with pupils. The school ensures that disadvantaged pupils benefit fully from this breadth of offer.

Teachers guide pupils in weighing up moral issues, and exploring different cultures. This helps to strengthen the welcoming and inclusive ethos of the school.

Leaders make sure that staff workload is considered thoughtfully.

This helps to foster a sense of commitment amongst the school community. Despite the challenges the school faces, leaders and governors maintain a clear focus on delivering high-quality education for every pupil.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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