Branston Junior Academy

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 16 May 2023

Pupils enjoy coming to this school. Many pupils say that the school is 'amazing'. Pupils have strong, positive relationships with staff. Staff know each pupil well. This is a school in which pupils feel safe and happy. Teachers have high expectations of pupils. This is both for what they can achieve academically and also how they should behave. The school is calm and orderly. Pupils say they would try to resolve a fall out independently. They also know that staff will always help them if they report poor behaviour or a concern. Pupils are keen to learn. They look forward to many of the subjects that they study. Teachers have embedded the school's '5Rs' values throughout the curriculum. Pupils are proud to collect stamps in their planners for demonstrating these values. There is a clear focus on developing pupils' strength of character. The majority of parents have positive views about the school. One parent summed up the views of many when they said, 'Branston Junior Academy is a fantastic school for all children, with an amazing team of staff who care deeply about the education and welfare of the children they teach.'

What the school should improve

• On occasion, some teachers do not use teaching activities and/or resources that match closely enough to the intended learning. This leads to some pupils not developing the depth of understanding that is set out in the curriculum. Leaders should ensure that teachers consistently use the most effective activities and resources to teach the curriculum.
• Support staff who teach reading are not yet early reading experts. The strategies to support pupils at the early stages of reading are not as precise as they could be. Leaders should ensure that all staff who teach early reading receive training to become early reading experts.

Read the full Ofsted report (opens in a new tab)