Garland Junior School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 2 June 2026

Pupils arrive at Garland Junior School promptly each morning, cheerful and ready to learn. Pupils feel seen by staff, who validate pupils’ individuality. Staff ensure that pupils’ strengths are celebrated. Pupils take pride in upholding the school’s values of ‘Perseverance, Kindness, Respect, Good Manners and Teamwork’. Attendance is in line with the national average, reflecting pupils’ positive attitudes to school. Leaders make effective improvements to the school. Pupils' conduct and attitudes to learning have improved due to recent changes to behaviour management and lunchtime routines. Pupils follow school rules diligently. They respond positively to leaders' high expectations, creating a calm and orderly environment for learning. Consequently, pupils’ experience of school is positive. Pupils know that staff will resolve any issues of bullying or unkindness. Pupils have a strong sense of belonging and a sense of responsibility for others. Breaktimes are joyful and well organised. Pupils play cooperatively, organise their own games and kindly include others. Pupils demonstrate a genuine enjoyment of learning. They engage positively in lessons and talk articulately about what they have learned. Recent improvements to the teaching of reading, mathematics and writing mean pupils are exposed to a well-thought-out, engaging curriculum. This means pupils know and remember more over time. By the end of key stage 2, achievement across the curriculum is generally secure. Leaders continue to focus on developing consistently accurate spelling and handwriting to support increased fluency in pupils’ writing. Disadvantaged pupils benefit from carefully planned adaptations and targeted support, so they make good progress from their starting points. Leaders identify and reduce barriers to learning and wellbeing effectively. A wide range of leadership opportunities and extra-curricular experiences broadens pupils’ horizons and enriches their learning beyond the academic curriculum. Pupils celebrate diversity and value the opportunities to learn about different faiths and cultures.

What the school should improve

• Leaders should continue to embed their approach to teaching and developing pupils' handwriting and spelling so that the quality of pupils' writing improves further.
• Leaders should continue to strengthen the consistency of the wider curriculum, so that highly effective teaching helps pupils to build knowledge securely over time.

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