John Hanson Community School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 13 March 2024

This is a very happy and inclusive school because staff have successfully created a caring and aspirational culture. They share a genuine belief that all pupils can fulfil their potential. Pupils follow a rich and broad curriculum which supports academic development. It is designed and delivered to nurture confidence and independence. Pupils rise to staff's high expectations of them, including pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Pupils achieve well, including in examinations. Staff nurture positive relationships and manage behaviour consistently and fairly. Where the school has taken more robust action, this has been received positively. For example, linked to the school's stance taken on mobile phones, one pupil said: 'It has brought us together because we talk more.' Behaviour in lessons is excellent. Pupils treat each other and adults with respect. They feel safe and know they have staff they can go to for help if they need it. They know bullying can happen, but they rightly trust the school to address it effectively. Parents are very supportive of the school and value its rounded approach to education. Many praise the care shown to their children and how well staff develop a sense of 'belonging' among the pupils.

What the school should improve

• Occasionally, teachers do not systematically check gaps in pupils' understanding. This means that some staff do not consistently adapt their teaching and feedback as sharply as they could. The school needs to ensure that teachers further refine their formative assessment practice and how they adapt subsequent lessons so that all pupils achieve as well as they can.
• A very small number of pupils struggle to meet the school's high expectations for behaviour. As a result, they do not consistently respect the school's culture and show the same levels of respect for others that pupils typically do. The school should embed its new pastoral and inclusion approaches and continue to support staff so that these pupils understand and manage their behaviours and reactions better.

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