West Byfleet Junior School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 28 January 2025

Pupils are safe in this welcoming and caring environment. Staff have high expectations for pupils and encourage them to have high aspirations for themselves. Pupils are keen to capture every opportunity to do their best. They enjoy learning and achieve well, particularly when developing reading skills. One parent, like others, rightly said that the school, 'focuses on developing a positive learning experience for its pupils'. The school's approach to behaviour is built upon a set of core values that permeate the school ethos, such as creativity and kindness. Pupils behave well. They are polite and courteous. They show empathy towards each other. Pupils demonstrate resilience when faced with demanding work. They respond positively to the school's consistently high expectations of behaviour. Pupils know and follow the rules and routines. The school is calm and orderly. Pupils feel assured that they can tell staff anything. They know that staff will always listen and sort out any concerns swiftly. Pupils enjoy attending the range of clubs the school offers, including cooking, music and sports. They are proud to represent the school, including pupil leaders, school councillors and reading ambassadors. Parents and carers are very positive about the recent developments that the school has introduced.

What the school should improve

• Occasionally, the school does not ensure that teaching routinely develops pupil's vocabulary and understanding effectively. Where this happens, it limits pupils' progression through the curriculum. The school should ensure that teachers check and develop pupils' understanding of subject-specific vocabulary securely so that pupils deepen their knowledge of the curriculum.

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