Holtsmere End Junior School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 23 May 2023

Pupils are happy and treat each other with respect. They enjoy engaging lessons. Pupils feel safe around school. There is always a member of staff they feel comfortable talking to. Pupils trust staff to help them sort out any friendship issues. Pupils rise to the high expectations teachers have of them. They take pride in the work they produce. In most lessons, pupils have lots of opportunities to extend and deepen their learning. They receive helpful guidance when there is something they have not understood. Those who find reading more difficult are supported to improve. Most pupils behave well. Any pupils who exhibit more challenging behaviour are supported to make positive choices. This ensures that classrooms are calm environments where pupils' learning is rarely disturbed. Pupils are listened to, and they understand how their own behaviour can impact others. As a result, pupils do not have concerns about bullying. Pupils enjoy a range of experiences that support their wider development. These include performing at The O2 arena and residential trips. Pupils develop leadership skills and learn about caring for the environment through clubs such as the eco-committee, where they get to feed the birds and plant new things.

What the school should improve

• A small number of foundation subjects are not as developed as others. In these subjects, staff do not have the same level of subject expertise and are less able to tailor the curriculum to pupils' specific needs. Leaders need to ensure that staff have the subject knowledge and expertise to deliver the planned curriculum effectively in all subjects.

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