Orchard Lea Junior School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 2 July 2024

New leadership has brought vision, high expectations and stability to this school. Pupils are now learning well. They are happy and enthusiastic, engaging in learning with vigour. Pupils are courteous, polite and show excellent manners. They behave well both in classrooms and at playtimes. Pupils and staff understand and follow the new behaviour policy successfully. Pupils love winning house points and nominating their friends for 'star of the week'. They know the school's learning behaviours of being 'caring, resilient, collaborative, independent and reflective' well. They show them in much of what they do. For example, pupils care for their environment through litter picking. They campaign to reduce plastic pollution. Pupils show resilience when learning is tricky and reflect on their work well when asked to improve it. They contribute to their school through the many roles of responsibility on offer, including being house captains, 'e-cadets' and librarians. Pupils feel safe. They learn how to keep themselves safe online, for example explaining top tips for healthy gaming well. They know staff will listen to them if they have a worry. Pupils appreciate the 'time to talk' pegs that they can place on their teachers' desks when they have a concern and need a chat.

What the school should improve

• In some foundation subjects, the curriculum and its delivery have not been strong enough in the past. This means that some pupils have gaps in knowledge. They cannot always connect their new learning to secure past learning well. The school should continue its work in identifying these gaps in pupils' knowledge and addressing them so that pupils achieve consistently well in all subjects.

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