The Knights Enham Junior School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 3 December 2024

The school is ambitious for what all pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), can achieve. Despite this, pupils do not achieve as well as they should. This is because important parts of the curriculum are not delivered well enough. As a result, many pupils requiring additional support do not rapidly catch up with age- expected learning. This is particularly the case in phonics, spelling and mathematics. Consequently, they are not well prepared for secondary school. Pupils strive to achieve the school values of 'collaboration, independence, nurture, resilience and respect'. Pupils understand what each of them mean, seeing mistakes as a chance to learn and try again. They are typically kind to each other and show respect for members of their school community. Pupils told inspectors that 'help will be provided to everyone that needs it'. Pupils trust adults to help them feel safe and cared for. Pupils benefit from a wide range of opportunities to learn new skills and talents, such as learning to play the trumpet in the brass band. There are many opportunities for pupils to develop leadership skills though joining the school council or becoming an eco-warrior. Pupils value these roles as an opportunity to positively contribute to the school community.

What the school should improve

• Staff do not provide the precise support that some pupils need to quickly and effectively close gaps in their phonics knowledge. This means that these pupils do not rapidly learn to read and spell appropriately for their age. The school should ensure that all staff have the expertise to identify and rapidly close the gaps in pupils' knowledge, so they are able to read and spell with fluency and confidence.
• Teachers do not ensure that all pupils access learning that enables them to apply mathematical knowledge, concepts and procedures appropriately for their age. This means a large number of pupils are not well prepared for key stage 3. The school must ensure that teachers have the expertise they need to swiftly close gaps in pupils' learning, enabling them to learn the age-appropriate knowledge they need.
• Teachers do not always present new learning in a clear and precise way. This means some pupils struggle to understand new learning with sufficient depth. The school must ensure that all staff have the expertise that they need to help pupils develop and retain a secure understanding.
• Assessment approaches in some subjects are not fully developed. This means that the school is not fully assured that all pupils are effectively learning the intended curriculum. The school should continue to strengthen how they assure themselves that the curriculum is being learned successfully by all pupils.

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