Ofsted conducted a monitoring inspection of Overchurch Junior School on May 4, 2023, following two successive judgments of requires improvement. The inspection aimed to assess the progress made by the school since its last graded inspection. During the visit, discussions were held with the headteacher, senior leaders, governors, and a local authority representative regarding the actions taken to enhance the school. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on learning was also considered. The inspector observed lessons, met with staff responsible for safeguarding, and reviewed various documents related to the curriculum and school improvement plans.
The findings indicate that Overchurch Junior School continues to require improvement. While leaders have made some progress, further work is necessary for the school to achieve a good rating. Key areas for improvement include ensuring that teachers can identify and address gaps in pupils' knowledge resulting from the pandemic and previous weaknesses in the curriculum. It is essential that the revised subject curriculums are fully implemented to enable pupils to build their knowledge effectively over time.
Several staff members have left the school since the last inspection, and new staff have been recruited, including early-career teachers. The leadership team has been restructured to include leaders responsible for overseeing the curriculum and English. An ambitious reading curriculum has been designed, providing a systematic approach to teaching reading. Staff have been trained to deliver this curriculum effectively, and pupils who struggle with reading, including disadvantaged students and those with special educational needs, now receive appropriate support to help them catch up.
Leaders have also worked on redesigning the curriculum in subjects that required improvement. The new curriculum is ambitious and well-structured, outlining the core knowledge that pupils need to learn and remember. Curriculum leaders have received training to lead their subjects effectively, ensuring that teachers have the necessary guidance to deliver the curriculum consistently. Effective assessment approaches are in place, allowing teachers to check pupils' understanding before introducing new content. However, some pupils still have significant gaps in their knowledge due to previous curriculum weaknesses and missed learning during the pandemic. This situation makes it challenging for them to connect new learning with prior knowledge.
The school has collaborated closely with governors to identify improvement priorities, and the plans to address these priorities are well thought out. Leadership roles have been restructured to build capacity for improvement, and there is a strong commitment from leaders, governors, and staff to the ongoing enhancements being made. The school has effectively utilized support from external partners, including the local authority and a multi-academy trust, to develop curriculum leaders' expertise and improve teachers' subject knowledge. The support from an English hub has been particularly beneficial, enabling staff to enhance their reading instruction capabilities while managing workloads effectively.
In summary, while Overchurch Junior School has made strides in its improvement journey, it still requires further action to address gaps in knowledge and ensure the effective implementation of the curriculum. The commitment from leadership and staff, along with external support, provides a foundation for continued progress. The school is on a path toward improvement, but sustained efforts are necessary to achieve a good rating in future inspections.
