Ashfield Junior School, located in Bushey, Hertfordshire, has recently undergone an inspection on June 13 and 14, 2023, and has been rated as good in overall effectiveness, quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management. The school has maintained this good rating since its previous inspection in March 2022.
Pupils at Ashfield Junior School are reported to be happy and thrive in a warm and caring environment. The school emphasizes core values such as respect, kindness, resilience, and cooperation, which were chosen with input from the pupils themselves. This collaborative approach fosters a sense of community and belonging among students. The school has a strong anti-bullying policy, and incidents of bullying are rare and effectively managed when they occur.
Behaviour in the school is commendable, with pupils demonstrating positive attitudes both in and out of the classroom. They understand the behaviour system in place and appreciate the rewards for positive conduct. This positive behaviour contributes to an enthusiastic participation in lessons, where pupils take pride in their achievements. Notably, they expressed pride in events such as the French café held for parents, showcasing their learning.
The school offers a diverse range of clubs and extracurricular activities, including football and chess, which allow pupils to explore their interests and develop their talents. The personal, social, health, and economic education curriculum helps pupils understand diversity and learn about leadership through roles such as school council members.
Leaders at Ashfield Junior School have recently updated the curriculum, ensuring it is broad and engaging, covering all national curriculum subjects. The curriculum plans are well-structured, outlining what pupils need to learn and when. Most teachers effectively utilize these plans to deliver lessons that support pupil learning. Many staff members possess strong subject knowledge, enabling them to assess learning and identify areas where pupils may struggle. As a result, pupils generally make good progress across most subjects.
However, there are areas for improvement. In some subjects, teachers are still acclimating to the new curriculum plans, and a minority of lessons do not adequately support pupil learning. Additionally, some leaders are not consistently monitoring the effectiveness of the curriculum delivery, which can hinder pupil progress. Increased staff training is recommended to ensure all subjects are taught effectively.
Pupils with special educational needs and disabilities generally progress well, as most staff adapt lessons to meet their needs. However, there are instances where this adaptation is insufficient, leading to challenges in learning for some pupils. Enhanced training for staff on supporting pupils with SEND is necessary to ensure all students can achieve their potential.
Reading is a strong focus at Ashfield Junior School, with pupils expressing enthusiasm for sharing books with peers. Phonics instruction is effectively implemented, helping those who need additional support to catch up quickly. High-quality training equips staff to provide the necessary reading assistance, fostering pupils' accuracy, fluency, and confidence.
The well-structured PSHE curriculum prepares pupils to be responsible citizens, encouraging them to develop aspirations for the future by learning about inspirational figures. Transition processes for new pupils are thoughtfully designed, with a buddy system in place to help newcomers feel welcome. Year six pupils also train year five pupils to become sports leaders, enhancing their confidence as role models before moving to secondary school.
Leaders have responded proactively to the changing behaviour needs of pupils, implementing a clear behaviour policy that sets high expectations. This policy is consistently followed by staff, resulting in a decrease in negative behaviour incidents. The introduction of a house point reward system has further motivated pupils to maintain good behaviour.
Staff at Ashfield Junior School receive strong support from leaders, who consider their workload amidst recent changes. Governors play an effective role in supporting and challenging leaders to ensure the school continues to improve.
The safeguarding arrangements at the school are effective, with well-trained staff who know how to keep pupils safe and report concerns. Leaders act swiftly to ensure pupils receive necessary support from external agencies. Pupils are educated on safety in various situations, including online safety, and they have developed a network of trusted adults.
To enhance the school's effectiveness, leaders should ensure that the curriculum is consistently delivered as intended and that staff receive the necessary training to support pupils with SEND effectively. Regular evaluations of all curriculum areas will help identify where additional support is needed, ultimately benefiting all pupils.
