Rise Park Junior School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 16 November 2022

Pupils enjoy coming to this school. Pupils said that the school's 'Learning Powers' really help them to focus and learn well in their lessons. Leaders work hard to ensure that pupils attend school regularly. Pupils are happy and safe. Incidents of poor behaviour or bullying are rare, and pupils know that staff will swiftly resolve any concerns that they raise. Nevertheless, in the playground, there are times when pupils do not follow leaders' expectations for behaviour. Leaders are doing the right things to improve behaviour further and ensure that everyone feels fully included at breaktime. Some pupils take on the role of 'play leaders', helping to support others in the playground. For example, they lead games for their peers and help with friendships. The newly opened multi-use games area provides pupils with space to enjoy a range of outdoor activities. Across a range of subjects, pupils learn successfully. Leaders have ensured that reading is prioritised. Pupils read a wide range of texts, which have been carefully selected. Leaders organise a range of special events, such as a recent visit from an author, with the aim of increasing pupils' enthusiasm about reading. Most parents and carers are positive about the school's work and the education that their children receive.

What the school should improve

• In subjects other than reading and mathematics, teachers do not routinely check what pupils have learned and remembered. This means that there are times when there are gaps in pupils' knowledge and pupils are not building on what they have previously learned. Leaders should ensure that staff check what pupils know and remember across the different subjects.
• In a few subjects, leaders have not considered the component knowledge that pupils need to have acquired in order to reach the end points in each unit of work or topic. This hinders how well pupils develop their knowledge securely over time. Where this is the case, leaders should identify the building blocks of knowledge that pupils need to learn.
• Pupils' behaviour in the playground is, at times, not as positive as it is in class. At times, some pupils feel that they cannot take part in activities or join games. Leaders have begun to review how the school's behaviour policy is being implemented. They should ensure that it is being consistently applied at all times of the school day.

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