Ladbrooke Junior Mixed and Infant School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 18 October 2022

Pupils are well mannered and welcoming. They exemplify the school rules: be ready, be respectful, and be safe. Pupils show they are ready to learn by looking at and listening to teachers. Pupils willingly share ideas and use resources sensibly. They recall much of what they learn, be it Year 2 pupils counting in twos, fives and tens, or Year 5 pupils showing how their ability to draw portraits has improved over time. So, pupils typically meet teachers' high expectations. Respectful behaviour is the norm, so bullying seldom occurs. Pupils play happily at lunchtime. Some enjoy playing sports like 'football tennis', while others enjoy drawing and playing board games in the cosy 'owl house'. The system of rewards encourages pupils to do their best. Pupils learn to value teamwork. They collect individual merits to contribute to their house team's total. Pupils feel proud when staff recognise their successes in the Friday achievement assemblies. Pupils feel safe. They have very few concerns. Pupils trust that staff will listen to them and resolve any worries that they may have.

What the school should improve

• The early years curriculum is not sufficiently developed in some areas of learning. Leaders have not thought carefully enough about what children will learn and when. This makes it hard for teachers in the early years to prepare children for what learning comes next. Likewise, teachers in key stages 1 and 2 are not always able to build on what pupils have learned before. Senior leaders should ensure that curriculum leaders receive the training and support they need to introduce and monitor an effective early years curriculum that provides a strong foundation for teaching and learning in Year 1 and beyond.
• Leaders identify what needs strengthening in their curriculum and wider school systems. However, improvements do not always happen as quickly as they should. Leaders should work more systematically and swiftly to address any issues in the school's provision, such as refining how teachers carry out and record the support provided to pupils with SEND.

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