'Everything we do is for the children': Clanfield Junior School praised in latest Ofsted report for 'visible improvements'
A junior school has strengthened all areas
Pupils feel valued at a junior school which has made significant progress following a ‘period of change’.
An Ofsted inspection, which took place on March 17, has found Clanfield Junior School, in Little Hyden Lane, has made “visible improvements” and leaders have “rightly prioritised building a strong sense of belonging across the community.”
The report found the school is currently working at the expected standard in all areas and has noted that pupils achieve well in national tests due to a well structured curriculum.
The published findings explain: “Leaders have identified clear end points and made deliberate decisions about the essential knowledge that pupils need. This includes a focus on foundational knowledge. For the small number of pupils still learning phonics, teaching is confident and appropriate. Mathematics is delivered with consistency.
“Leaders have developed subject leadership so that subject leaders have an accurate overview of how the curriculum is taught. Their monitoring enables them to identify where teaching needs refinement and where further guidance for teachers is required.”
Children who face extra barriers receive suitable adjustments, and staff have strengthened the systems in place to support students with additional needs. Teachers and leaders also work alongside external agencies effectively so pupils in social care recieve help to ensure they progress well.
Kati Dawkins, headteacher, said: “We’re thrilled. It’s gone so well, it’s such a team effort with all of the team and the children, and the parents supporting us.
“We are really thrilled with how far we’ve come with the children and the fact that we really protect childhood and we’re outside all the time having fun. We’ve changed so many things and I think the most important thing is our children who have a real voice here, and they help us change to be a better school.”
Attendance has also been highlighted as an area of improvement, with the report explaining leaders have strengthened ways to monitor attendance patterns across the school, and persistent absence is significantly below the national average.
Last year, fewer students with special educational needs missed school regularly and leaders have cultivated a positive culture of attendance by emphasising the importance of attending school.
Kate Pinhorne, deputy headteacher, said: “We’ve come on a journey with the staff and I think we are all heading in the same direction and at the centre of that is the children. Everything we do is for them to have the best experience and to have a childhood.”
In order to continue its journey of improvement, Clanfield Junior School should develop staff expertise during learning to understand what information is and is not being retained by pupils. Students should also continue to develop fluent, accurate handwriting to aid with all subjects.