Mengham Junior School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 15 October 2024

Pupils are very happy at school. They feel part of a welcoming community. They learn about different cultures and ways of life that are different to their own. This helps them to understand the importance of equality and diversity. Pupils recognise the importance of respecting other people's opinions and ideas. They are proud of the kindness they show to each other. Pupils are well cared for at school. They know that staff are ambitious for them, although they do not yet achieve as well as they could. Pupils are taught about keeping safe, how to behave well and who to talk to in school if they have worries or concerns. They are confident that they will receive personalised help through the school's well-structured pastoral support. Pupils are encouraged to take on responsibility. They contribute to the school through a wide range of leadership opportunities. The school makes sure that pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) have the same opportunities as others, for example helping younger children at school events, or looking after the school's allotment and guinea pigs. Pupils in every class look forward to and keenly attend the yearly residentials. These include a school sleepover, camping out and outward-bound activities trip.

What the school should improve

• The curriculum in core subjects is not consistently taught well. Activities used in lessons do not always ensure that pupils gain the intended knowledge. Therefore, pupils have gaps in their understanding and do not achieve as well as they should in reading, writing and mathematics. The school should continue with its plans to strengthen staff knowledge and teaching expertise, and check it is used consistently well.
• Across the wider curriculum, those which are newly planned are not consistently implemented. At times, the curriculums in place are not used to systematically identify and clarify pupils' misunderstandings or ensure that pupils are secure in subject-specific knowledge. This means that staff are not clear on how to precisely adapt future learning. The school should continue to ensure that staff have the knowledge and expertise they need to help pupils learn well across the curriculum.
• As yet, the school has not consistently checked that its newly implemented systems and processes are having the intended impact. This includes how well staff are using any new training and support provided. The school should ensure that robust checking processes are timely and precise and result in all pupils achieving well.

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