Ofsted conducted a short inspection of Towers Junior School on 2 July 2019, following its previous judgment of good in December 2015. The inspection confirmed that the school continues to maintain a good standard of education. The leadership team, under the effective guidance of the executive headteacher, has demonstrated strong ambition and high expectations for both pupils and staff. Since the executive headteacher's appointment in September 2018, significant improvements have been made, with strong leadership evident at all levels, including governance. The federation with the infant school has further enhanced the capacity for ongoing improvement.
Current pupils are making good progress, with attainment at the end of key stage two exceeding national averages for age-related expectations. The most able pupils are also performing above the national average. Pupils express that they feel safe and well cared for, taking pride in their school, which fosters an inclusive and nurturing environment. The school's core values are well understood by pupils, who actively reflect these values in their behavior and attitudes towards learning. Parents report high levels of satisfaction, noting their children’s happiness and motivation in school.
The previous inspection highlighted the need for improved questioning skills among teachers. The leadership has effectively addressed this by enhancing teachers' subject knowledge through professional development and mentoring. This has led to improved questioning techniques that challenge pupils' thinking and deepen their understanding. Support staff have also received training, enabling them to deliver effective catch-up activities in key areas such as reading, writing, and mathematics.
The school has made strides in promoting understanding of diversity within modern Britain, with displays and assemblies reflecting the rich cultural traditions of the local community. Governors are well-informed and actively support school leaders, demonstrating a realistic understanding of the school's self-evaluation and priorities for improvement. Their involvement in creating the federation has been instrumental in raising standards and ensuring smooth transitions for pupils.
Safeguarding practices are robust, with all staff trained to recognize and respond to potential risks. The school has established a strong safeguarding culture, with effective communication and collaboration with families and external agencies. The school’s single central record of employment checks is thorough, ensuring that all staff are vetted appropriately.
The inspection identified three key lines of enquiry. The first focused on the challenge provided in the curriculum, where leaders have set rigorous targets in core subjects. The second line examined the effectiveness of mathematics teaching, revealing that while the curriculum is sequenced to build on prior learning, there is still work to be done in embedding key skills across year groups. The final line of enquiry assessed the English curriculum, noting that pupils have daily writing opportunities and are developing their skills in various writing styles.
Next steps for the school include ensuring that challenging reading texts support vocabulary development and writing maturity, providing all pupils with opportunities to apply their mathematical skills, and ensuring consistency in reasoning and problem-solving activities across classrooms. Overall, the inspection findings affirm the school's commitment to continuous improvement and the well-being of its pupils.
