Praise for 'welcoming and inclusive' junior school

A FISHPONDS junior school has retained its good rating from Ofsted after a visit by an inspector.

The education regulator visited Chester Park Junior School in March and inspector's report, released last month, praised pupils, staff and school leaders.

Inspector Catherine Beeks said: "The school is welcoming and inclusive.

"Pupils are happy, polite and friendly."

She said children were well-behaved and had "positive attitudes toward learning".

It was the third consecutive 'good' rating for the school in Abingdon Road, which has 273 pupils aged between seven and 11.

The inspector said: "Parents speak in glowing terms about the school. They typically comment that the school is ‘fantastic’ and appreciate all that the school does for their children."

She said the "caring and supportive relationships" staff formed with pupils meant children felt safe, with "sensitive and caring support to pupils who find it difficult to manage their emotions", which meant bullying and "low-level disruption" were rare.

Children were given an appreciation of the different cultures and faiths in their community, and also had extracurricular clubs and activities, which supported their "wider development".

The inspector said: "Leaders and staff have a shared ambition to provide high-quality, enjoyable learning experiences.

"Leaders have put an interesting and well-sequenced curriculum in place. This clearly identifies the knowledge, skills and vocabulary that pupils must learn.

"Pupils show an interest in finding things out and usually learn the curriculum well.

"Staff explain concepts clearly and, in most subjects, check pupils’ understanding accurately. Teachers use this insight to adapt learning when necessary."

The inspector said school leaders "inspire pupils to develop a love of reading" and quickly spotted children who had fallen behind for extra support.

Mathematical understanding was also "developed successfully", through routinely revisiting previous learning and then applying it to new areas.

The inspector recommended that leaders at the school, which is in a federation with Chester Park Infant school on Lodge Causeway, continue work to improve the curriculum and use of assessment, and continue their "relentless" efforts to support families of pupils who do not attend school regularly.

In the letter to parents, head teacher Mike McNama said: "Schools are more than what is reflected in a short report.

"Schools are a hub for the community offering learning, safety, reassurance, fun, compassion and warmth."

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