Eton Park Junior Academy

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 17 January 2023

Eton Park Junior School is a happy place to be. Pupils thrive because they are well cared for. Staff work hard to get the best out of pupils. They help pupils to be ready for their next steps and for life beyond Eton Park. Pupils say that Eton Park makes them feel like they 'don't have to try to be like someone else; I can just be me'. Feeling included is important to the pupils. Pupils also understand the importance of learning. Most demonstrate a determination to do well. Pupils are polite and enjoy sharing their achievements. They 'work hard, be kind and choose wisely', showing the school's values in all they do. Pupils develop good learning habits. Their focus leads to a calm and productive learning environment. Pupils understand what bullying is and what it is not. When bullying occurs, pupils seek support from adults who help them to resolve their concerns. Pupils feel safe because staff look after them well. Trips, for example to Tutbury Castle and a Roman fort, together with time spent in their newly designed library, enrich pupils' experiences. These help to bring the curriculum to life. Expectations are high for positive relationships. Pupils respond well to these expectations.

What the school should improve

• In some lessons, teachers do not always consider the individual needs of pupils with SEND. Learning plans do not always reflect the reasons why pupils struggle. This means that some pupils continue to find new learning challenging. Leaders should support teachers to adapt the curriculum effectively, to ensure that all groups of pupils, including those with SEND, learn the important planned knowledge.
• Some teachers do not use assessment information well enough to ensure that pupils have learned what they intended them to. Where this happens, teachers do not adapt their teaching as needed. Leaders should ensure that all teaching staff routinely check pupils' understanding and adapt their teaching accordingly to embed that new knowledge in pupils' long-term memory.
• In mathematics, some pupils are unable to recall number facts quickly. Leaders have not checked pupils have understood these important facts before they move on in their learning. This prevents pupils from being able to solve mathematical problems independently. Leaders should make sure that all children can recall these facts fluently and are supported to keep up with the curriculum.

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