The Annunciation RC Junior School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils are happy, welcoming and thoughtful.

The motto 'Be who God wants you to be' is reflected by staff and pupils each day. The religious character of the school is an important part of school life. However, all faiths are celebrated and respected.

This helps to ensure that everyone feels safe and is kept safe.

Staff have extremely high expectations of pupils to be the best they can be. Pupils consistently rise to this challenge.

They take responsibility for themselves and each other, both academically and in the way they behave. Behaviour is exemplary. Pupils are extremely polite and confident.

This is because adults show them how to be c...aring and supportive.

Pupils learn a broad and ambitious curriculum. They work very hard and produce work of good quality in different subjects.

This ensures that they are well prepared for the next stage of their education.

There are numerous opportunities for pupils to take on additional responsibilities, including as prayer leaders, librarians, lunch and class monitors. Pupils represent their school in a range of sports clubs and competitions.

Pupils also develop their talents and interests through attending additional activities in art and music.

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

The curriculum matches the breadth and ambition of what is expected nationally. In each subject, the important ideas that pupils need to learn have been identified and logically sequenced.

This helps pupils to acquire the building blocks they need to access more complex learning later. As a result, all pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), are well supported to know and remember more. For example, in geography, pupils learn about the location and impact of volcanoes and earthquakes.

They use this knowledge when learning about life in California.

Teachers are well trained and supported to implement the curriculum with consistency. Their subject knowledge is very strong.

Activities are well chosen and match the ambition of the curriculum. Assessment is used effectively. Teachers regularly check what pupils have learned.

When they see gaps or mistakes, teachers take steps to correct misconceptions quickly and effectively. Staff have very high expectations of what pupils can achieve. Pupils with SEND are swiftly identified and well supported.

Effective adaptations to tasks and activities ensure that these pupils achieve well.

Leaders prioritise reading across the school. The agreed phonics programme is delivered consistently.

As a result, pupils develop into accurate and fluent readers. Additional support for those who struggle to read is carefully targeted. Well-trained staff help these pupils effectively to catch up with their peers.

Pupils enjoy reading and talk with enthusiasm about how it can ignite their imaginations. Pupils are encouraged to read books from a range of genres, cultures and time periods. Pupils enjoy accessing the library and other inviting reading spaces around the school.

Regular visits to the local library further broaden the range of books pupils read.Pupils' behaviour is excellent. This is because there is a very strong culture of praise.

Pupils actively support one another to demonstrate high levels of respect toward adults and peers. Pupils' attitudes to their learning are consistently positive. Attendance is strong.

Leaders swiftly identify those pupils who need additional support to attend school regularly and on time.

Pupils' personal development is of very high quality. Pupils are challenged to engage with views, beliefs and opinions that are different from their own.

For example, pupils learn about a range of world faiths in class and through visitors and visits. The curriculum is designed to prepare pupils for life in modern Britain. Pupils learn about the importance of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual tolerance and respect.

They are encouraged to reflect on what society would be like without these important attributes.

Through an extensive menu of enrichment activities, the school ensures that the curriculum extends beyond the academic and provides well for pupils' broader development. A detailed programme of visits to wildlife parks, the coast and the theatre enhances the curriculum.

Leaders, including those responsible for governance, provide strong strategic direction. They have worked sensitively to manage recent changes at the school. An accurate understanding of the school's strengths and priorities for further development has ensured that the school continues to go from strength to strength.

Staff feel well supported in their roles. Parents and carers are very positive about the school.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.