St Benedict's Church of England Voluntary Aided Junior School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 11 January 2023

Pupils are enthusiastic about attending St Benedict's Church of England School. They say that teachers make their lessons interesting and involve them. Staff provide a wide range of clubs and extra-curricular activities. Pupils say that these build their confidence, teach them new skills and help them to work well with others. Pupils feel happy and safe. Staff receive helpful training to help them understand and strengthen pupils' emotional well-being. Specialist staff work skilfully to support pupils when needed. Pupils care for one another and their school. They take on responsibilities such as being peer mentors, sports leaders or green influencers. Bullying is not tolerated. On the rare occasions that it happens, staff respond quickly. Leaders have clear expectations of pupils. Pupils respond positively to these expectations, for example in their behaviour, the presentation of work and in regularly practising their reading. Pupils are taught to reflect on their learning and to do their best. They learn from their mistakes. Pupils have a clear understanding of the school's values of community, kindness and resilience. They say that they see these values in action in school every single day.

What the school should improve

• Leaders have not identified, in some subjects, the most important knowledge and concepts that pupils need to know and remember. This means that learning does not build pupils' knowledge well over time. Leaders must identify the most important knowledge and concepts in each subject to help pupils know and remember more.
• In some foundation subjects, leaders have not developed a precise approach to checking what pupils have learned over time. As a result, leaders and teachers do not have a clear picture of gaps in pupils' knowledge. Leaders need to ensure that assessment is effective in identifying gaps in pupils' knowledge.

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