The Grove Junior School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 7 December 2022

Pupils love attending The Grove. They learn in a calm, respectful atmosphere. Pupils feel safe and trust the adults who work with them. As a result, relationships in the school are warm and caring. Pupils take their responsibilities seriously. They are keen to become 'Groverneers' and represent their fellow pupils. They live up to the school's values of 'Respect, Responsibility, Resilience'. In lessons, they help and support each other. They work and play well together. Leaders have high expectations of pupils' behaviour and their learning. Pupils are independent learners. They work hard and want to do well. They are proud of their school. They listen to their teachers and behave well. Bullying is rare but when it does happen, teachers are quick to respond. Pupils have confidence in staff and know they will help to sort out any problems that occur. Pupils are keen to help and support each other outside of the classroom too. They appreciate the help of the pupil mental health champions. They can turn to them at playtime if they are lonely or need support. Pupils are positive about the wide range of clubs they can and do attend, including choir, cookery and many sports clubs.

What the school should improve

• In a few subjects, there is not a clearly laid out plan for what pupils need to know or when they should learn this knowledge. Teachers then have to decide what to teach and when. When this happens, important subject knowledge is not taught in the correct order or in depth. This does not help pupils build on what they already know. Leaders must develop all curriculum plans, so that it is clear what to teach and when, including key vocabulary.

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