Churchdown Village Junior School is recognized for its inclusive environment where positivity, acceptance, and friendship are prominent. Pupils express enjoyment in their school experience and demonstrate eagerness to attend, appreciating the care and support they receive. The school maintains high expectations for behavior, resulting in well-behaved students who understand the behavioral standards and the ‘zones of regulation’ framework. This understanding fosters a culture where pupils strive to behave appropriately both in class and during social interactions.
The school emphasizes a strong commitment to providing a high-quality education, with pupils generally acquiring the knowledge and skills necessary for their academic success. However, there are areas for improvement, particularly in certain subjects where the depth of knowledge may not be as secure. Additionally, pupils in the early stages of reading require more time to develop their reading accuracy and fluency, which is currently insufficient.
Personal development is a notable strength of the school, with pupils benefiting from a wide range of opportunities that contribute to their growth into confident individuals with high self-esteem. The school plays a pivotal role in the community, and parents and carers express high levels of satisfaction with the support provided to both pupils and families, which enhances the overall happiness of the children.
The school is ambitious in its goal for all pupils to receive a rich and varied curriculum that fosters a love of learning. Recent improvements in the mathematics curriculum have been carefully planned to ensure pupils gain the necessary knowledge to tackle complex calculations. In English, the school has responded promptly to analyze and address recent writing outcomes for Year 6 pupils, leading to rapid improvements in their writing skills. However, clarity regarding the knowledge pupils are expected to retain in some subjects remains an area needing attention, as it affects their ability to connect new learning effectively.
Phonics teaching is delivered accurately, and the school ensures that reading materials align with pupils' phonics knowledge. Nevertheless, the frequency of practice in reading books for early-stage readers is inadequate, hindering their fluency development. The provision for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities is of high quality, with swift identification of needs and effective adaptations made to support their learning. This approach enables these pupils to achieve well and learn successfully.
Pupils exhibit good behavior, demonstrating politeness and respect for one another. They understand the significance of equality and actively support each other, fostering a warm and welcoming learning environment. This positive atmosphere is reflected in their regular attendance. The school offers a wealth of enrichment activities, including clubs, visits, and trips, which enhance the curriculum. Activities such as Forest School and gardening clubs engage pupils and promote environmental awareness.
Pupils appreciate the responsibilities entrusted to them and feel that their opinions are valued, leading to changes that enhance their school experience. The school has established effective safeguarding arrangements, ensuring a safe environment for all pupils. Overall, while Churchdown Village Junior School excels in many areas, it must focus on enhancing clarity in curriculum expectations and increasing reading practice for early readers to further improve educational outcomes.
