Winterbourne Junior Girls’ School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils thrive in this happy and supportive school.

Staff have high expectations for all pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Leaders have successfully created an aspirational community in which pupils achieve well in their learning. This is reflected in very strong published outcomes in national assessments at the end of Year 6.

Many pupils join the school at times other than the usual start in Year 3. Some of these pupils are new to English. The school provides exceptional support for them and, as a result, they settle quickly and are well prepared for the next stage of their education.

The school provides an imp...ressive range of opportunities for pupils to experience positions of responsibility. These include being head girls, digital leaders and junior travel ambassadors. Pupils appreciate the many clubs they can choose to attend, such as steel pans, debating, dance and choir.

The behaviour of pupils is exemplary. They respect each other and display exceptional manners to both staff and visitors to the school. Pupils say there is always someone to talk to if they have any questions or concerns and that school is both safe and a fun place to learn.

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

The school has created an ambitious curriculum for all pupils, including those who are disadvantaged and/or have SEND. The school identifies pupils' needs with precision. Teachers carefully adapt their teaching and resources to allow these pupils to follow the same curriculum as their peers.

Leaders have thought carefully about what subject content to teach and how to make it relevant for their pupil community. For example, in religious education pupils study a wide range of religions and are encouraged to consider different viewpoints. In history, leaders adapt the curriculum to take account of major world events.

Topics now include how COVID-19 has changed society as well as the significance of the recent coronation of King Charles III.

Teachers have good subject knowledge. They encourage pupil discussion in lessons.

For example, in Spanish pupils enjoy talking about the culture of a different country. They develop a sound understanding of how to speak and write in Spanish. As a result, they are well prepared for learning other languages in secondary school.

In science, pupils enjoy working in groups on practical activities and learn how to use scientific apparatus safely.

Pupils understand the methods teachers use to check their learning. In a small number of subjects, the school does not identify precisely the knowledge and skills it needs pupils to learn, or the order in which they should learn these.

Consequently, int these subjects, teacher's checks on pupils' learning are not as effective as they might be.

Leaders place a sharp focus on the teaching of reading all the way through the school. Pupils, including those at the early stages of reading, develop the phonic knowledge they need to read with fluency.

Teachers make sure pupils read books that match the sounds they know. They quickly identify pupils who lack confidence and put a range of appropriate support in place. Teachers carefully choose a wide range of texts, which are both ambitious and diverse.

Pupils love reading and make regular use of the popular library, which they helped to design.

The provision for pupils' personal development is exceptional. There is a well-planned personal, social, and health education programme.

The school arranges many visits to places of importance, such as museum and theatres, as well as Hampton Court and the Wetlands Centre. Leaders are passionate that all pupils, including those with SEND and those who are disadvantaged, have full access to these activities. There is a real 'can-do' attitude at Winterbourne.

Girls are exposed to a range of successful role models in the wider community.

Pupils attend school regularly and on time. The school works with families and other agencies to ensure that pupils' welfare is carefully monitored.

This means that attendance levels are high and action can be taken swiftly if there are any patterns of concern.

Governors know the school community very well. They challenge and support leaders appropriately.

Staff are very positive about working at Winterbourne. They appreciate how leaders consider their well-being.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

• In a small number of subjects, the curriculum does not set out precisely enough what pupils should learn or is not as coherently sequenced as it is in other subjects. Consequently, in these subjects, the checks teachers carry out on pupils' learning are not always focused on the most important learning and are not, therefore, as effective as they could be. The school should ensure that the quality of the curriculum is consistent across all subjects, so that pupils learn as well as the school intends them to.

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