Queensway School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 9 June 2022

Pupils are supported effectively at this inclusive school. Leaders and staff take care to get to know pupils well. Staff are ambitious for every pupil's learning and know what to do to help pupils to achieve. Pupils behave very well. This starts in the early years, where children learn secure routines for taking turns and behaving positively. Pupils are polite, friendly and interested in each other's views. Pupils also debate, discuss and collaborate respectfully. They like the opportunities they have to develop their creative, sporting and leadership experiences. This culture of respect and tolerance means that bullying or any unkind behaviour is very rare. Pupils feel safe and are confident to raise any worries that they might have with a member of staff. Pastoral support for pupils is a key strength of the school. Any issues that arise are dealt with by leaders quickly and effectively. One parent summed up the views of the overwhelming majority by saying: 'The pastoral care our daughter has received throughout has been exceptional. Any child would be lucky to have this as their school and we feel blessed to have found Queensway.'

What the school should improve

• Pupils do not achieve consistently highly across the curriculum. In some subjects, for example science and mathematics, pupils' learning is deep and extensive. While pupils achieve well in other subjects, leaders should develop the curriculum further so that pupils' learning is consistently excellent overall.
• Some pupils, including some with SEND, do not make as swift progress in their reading as they could. This has an effect on their learning in other areas of the curriculum. At times, reading books are not matched to pupils' phonics knowledge as precisely as they need to be to help these pupils increase their fluency and accuracy in reading. Although leaders' actions focused on this area are already having an impact, this remains a priority in order for these pupils' learning to improve further.
• Pupils' attendance is not at the same high level as it was before the COVID-19 pandemic began. A relatively small proportion of pupils do not yet attend regularly enough. Although pupils' overall attendance levels are rising, leaders should continue their work to reduce absence further to ensure pupils are in school and learning.

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