Ofsted conducted a short inspection of Roundhay St John’s Church of England Primary School on 11 July 2018, following its previous judgment of good in January 2014. The inspection confirmed that the school continues to maintain its good quality of education. The leadership team has effectively prioritized areas for improvement identified in the last inspection. A substantive deputy headteacher and a business manager were appointed, enhancing the leadership structure. The realignment of the senior leadership team, which now includes phase leaders for key stages, has further strengthened leadership and management.
Governance is recognized as a strength, with a knowledgeable vice-chair now serving as chair of governors. The governing body is actively involved in school life, providing robust challenge and support to leaders. The school’s leadership demonstrates strong capacity for ongoing improvement. The clear vision and commitment to continuous improvement have fostered a collaborative school ethos, with staff prioritizing the well-being and progress of pupils. Consequently, pupil outcomes have remained strong since the last inspection.
The school has successfully addressed the areas for improvement from the previous inspection, particularly in enhancing the quality of teaching to raise standards in reading, writing, and mathematics. Professional development for teachers has been prioritized, and expectations for teaching quality have been raised. Leaders have focused on staff development and sharing best practices, both within the school and through collaborations with other institutions. Regular monitoring of teaching quality has resulted in strong teaching across the school, with a significant proportion of pupils achieving higher standards in core subjects.
Safeguarding measures are effective, with thorough arrangements in place to ensure pupil safety. Staff are well-trained in child protection and are vigilant in monitoring pupil welfare. The school has established a strong safeguarding culture, with effective communication and collaboration with external agencies when necessary. Pupils report feeling safe and know whom to approach with concerns. The positive relationships between staff and pupils contribute to good behavior and conduct throughout the school.
The inspection findings indicate that monitoring systems have been strengthened, showing that the quality of teaching is good or better in most lessons. The alignment of the senior leadership team has broadened the involvement of staff in monitoring teaching quality. Teaching assistants have been effectively integrated into the teaching process, receiving regular training and support to enhance their roles. This has led to improved outcomes for disadvantaged pupils, who are now performing better than their peers.
Despite strong outcomes for Year 6 pupils, there is recognition that progress in writing needs further improvement. Current assessment data suggests that while reading and mathematics progress remains above national averages, writing outcomes have declined slightly. The school acknowledges the need for continued focus on improving writing standards, particularly for disadvantaged pupils. Overall, the school is well-positioned to build on its successes and address the identified areas for improvement, ensuring that all pupils achieve their full potential.
