Garden Suburb Junior School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 18 May 2022

Pupils learn effectively at this welcoming and friendly school. Leaders know pupils and their families well. Leaders said that the school is always there to support their community. The views of parents and carers echo this. Leaders are ambitious for pupils to achieve well in a wide range of subjects. All pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), are supported by staff to do their best. As a result, they enjoy their studies and typically develop knowledge successfully. Leaders and staff also want all pupils to discover their talents and to celebrate them. They encourage pupils to use their sporting talents, for instance, to compete locally with other schools. Pupils said they really value these opportunities, especially now that they have resumed after the previous restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Pupils also experience many trips, including a residential trip for Year 6 pupils to the Isle of Wight. Pupils behave well. They are calm, focused and engaged in lessons. When taking part in discussions, pupils listen and respond to each other respectfully. They are polite and well mannered to their peers and to adults. Pupils feel safe at school. Bullying is not tolerated and is sorted out quickly. On the rare occasions that bullying happens, pupils are confident that adults will make it stop.

What the school should improve

• Some subject leaders are at the early stages of developing the expertise needed to lead their subject. As a result, they are not supporting teachers to deliver the planned curriculum as well as they could do. Leaders should ensure that all subject leaders and teachers are well trained to deliver the curriculum. This is so that pupils can achieve equally highly across all subjects.

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