Ofsted conducted a short inspection of Minet Junior School on 3 July 2019, marking the first such inspection since the school was rated as good in September 2015. The findings indicate that the school continues to maintain a good standard of education. The headteacher, Ms. Kellie Ryan, has collaborated effectively with senior leaders, the local authority, and governors to ensure the quality of education remains high. The leadership team is well aware of the school's strengths and areas for improvement, having identified key development areas.
Significant efforts have been made to enhance leadership through training and partnerships, which have positively impacted middle leaders' ability to support and challenge teachers. Leaders at all levels are encouraged to assess the effectiveness of their initiatives using various monitoring techniques, which has fostered a shared understanding of expectations among staff. The school places a strong emphasis on the well-being and mental health of pupils, implementing well-designed strategies that have led to increased engagement and opportunities for family involvement.
Governors are actively involved in the school’s progress, regularly collecting evidence to support the judgments made by school leaders. Their commitment to collaboration with staff has resulted in a well-informed governing body that understands the school's strengths and areas needing attention. Parents and carers generally express positive views about the school, appreciating the improvements made after a period of leadership instability.
Pupils also speak highly of their school, recognizing the importance of the values promoted and engaging positively in their learning. They respond well to praise from staff, contributing to a supportive learning environment. Safeguarding measures are effective, with a culture of safety established through robust policies and procedures. Leaders prioritize pupil safety, ensuring that both pupils and staff receive timely guidance. Pupils feel secure in school and know whom to approach if they encounter problems.
The inspection focused on the steps taken to improve reading attainment, a recommendation from the previous inspection. Leaders have revised their reading instruction methods and provided effective training for staff, resulting in a consistent approach across classes. High-quality literature is used to enhance pupils' language skills, fostering confidence in their learning. Pupils are encouraged to read across various subjects, integrating reading into lessons effectively.
While teachers employ diverse techniques to engage pupils in reading, there is a need for more consistent promotion of reading strategies in lessons. The development of independent reading skills requires further embedding. The inspection also examined the quality of work in topic books, revealing generally good progress and improved presentation. Leaders are working on creating meaningful connections between subjects, which should be consistently applied throughout the school.
Teachers effectively use questioning to deepen pupils' understanding across the curriculum, with extension questions employed in the best practices. Collaborative activities and discussions are encouraged, allowing pupils to share their learning experiences. Pupils demonstrate their writing skills across subjects and take pride in their work, reflecting on their learning and making improvements.
Next steps for the school include ensuring that specific reading skills are fully integrated into teaching and monitoring pupils' application of these skills in independent reading. Additionally, the curriculum development work should be fully embedded in planning to provide regular opportunities for extending pupils' knowledge. The inspection findings highlight the school's commitment to continuous improvement and the importance of maintaining high educational standards.
