Ofsted conducted a short inspection of Prestwood Junior School on December 4, 2018, following its previous judgment of good in January 2015. The inspection confirmed that the school continues to maintain a good quality of education. The leadership team has effectively upheld educational standards, fostering an environment where pupils arrive eager to learn. The warm welcome from staff and the school’s therapy dog, Ralph, contributes to a positive atmosphere. Parents express high satisfaction, noting that staff are attentive to their children's needs and that the school promotes independence and strong friendships among pupils.
Since federating with Prestwood Infant School in 2017, the headteacher has implemented numerous positive changes, encouraging collaboration between staff across both schools. The school actively shares its expertise with other institutions, demonstrating an outward-looking approach. The headteacher's involvement in the Buckinghamshire Primary Executive Board enhances the school's understanding of national education policies.
The previous inspection highlighted writing attainment and progress as areas for improvement. The school has made significant strides in this area, with 2018 results aligning closely with national averages. Staff are well-trained in assessing pupil progress, and initiatives such as a project focused on boys' writing are underway. However, there remains a need to increase the number of most-able pupils achieving higher standards, particularly in writing and mathematics. Observations during the inspection indicated that while teachers effectively develop compositional and grammatical skills, there is insufficient focus on handwriting development in Years 5 and 6.
Safeguarding is a priority at the school, with staff collectively responsible for ensuring pupil safety. Designated safeguarding leads provide regular training, keeping staff updated on the latest guidelines. Pupils are educated on safety, both in physical environments and online, and they feel secure knowing there are trusted adults to approach with concerns.
The inspection assessed the impact of leadership on school improvement, revealing high aspirations for all pupils. Staff commitment to pupil well-being is evident, and middle leaders play a crucial role in enhancing teaching quality and pupil achievement. A new middle leadership role has been introduced to focus on the progress of the most-able pupils, addressing the need for greater challenge in writing and mathematics.
Governors demonstrate a good understanding of their responsibilities and the school's strengths, although they sometimes lack clarity regarding the progress of pupils with special educational needs and disabilities. The quality of teaching is generally strong, with most pupils making good progress in reading, writing, and mathematics due to high expectations and effective strategies.
The inspection also evaluated the effectiveness of pupil premium spending, finding that funding is utilized effectively to support disadvantaged pupils. The curriculum offers a broad range of experiences, fostering creativity and providing opportunities for artistic and musical development. Pupils learn multiple languages and engage in numerous extracurricular activities, particularly in sports.
The school promotes pupil responsibility through various roles, such as junior road safety officers and subject ambassadors. Special focus weeks, like STEM week, enrich the curriculum and engage pupils in practical learning experiences. The school takes pride in its achievements, including notable successes in competitions.
Next steps for the school include ensuring governors receive clear information about the progress of pupils with special educational needs, challenging the most able pupils further in writing and mathematics, and improving handwriting skills in upper years. The inspection findings highlight the school's commitment to continuous improvement and the well-being of its pupils.
