Arno Vale Junior School, located in Woodthorpe, Nottingham, has been inspected on the 14th and 15th of May 2024, receiving an overall effectiveness rating of good. The school has maintained this standard since its previous inspection in June 2022. The quality of education, behavior and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management have all been rated as good, indicating a consistent level of performance across various aspects of the school.
Pupils at Arno Vale Junior School exhibit kindness, politeness, and respect, embodying the school’s values of determination, respect, independence, curiosity, and honesty. They demonstrate mature attitudes and engage confidently in discussions about diversity, British values, and protected characteristics. The school environment is calm and orderly, with minimal disruptions to learning. During playtimes, pupils socialize happily, and when they require assistance in managing their emotions or behavior, staff provide excellent support. Pupils express that they feel safe and trust the staff to help them with any concerns.
The school is committed to ensuring that all pupils achieve well, offering a broad curriculum designed to deepen knowledge across various subjects. Significant improvements have been made in the teaching of reading, writing, and mathematics, leading to positive outcomes for pupils, including those with special educational needs and disabilities. However, the recent changes to the curriculum have not yet had enough time to reflect in published outcomes, which do not accurately represent the current pupils' achievements.
Reading is a priority at Arno Vale Junior School, with pupils encouraged to read widely and frequently. Whole-class reading lessons feature a diverse range of challenging and engaging texts, including stories, poetry, plays, and non-fiction, which broaden pupils' understanding of different cultures and faiths. Staff actively support vocabulary development and identify gaps in pupils' reading knowledge, providing targeted phonics lessons and well-planned support to help them catch up quickly.
In mathematics, staff utilize their strong subject knowledge to clearly explain and model concepts, allowing ample time for pupils to practice what they have learned. Learning is systematically checked, and misconceptions are addressed promptly. Daily opportunities for revisiting knowledge help pupils retain what they have learned.
The writing curriculum is well-structured, focusing on the essential knowledge pupils need to acquire. Writing lessons emphasize fluency and encourage pupils to review their work critically, with constructive feedback provided for editing and correcting mistakes. However, in some subjects, expectations for written work are not consistently high, and opportunities for writing practice may be lacking. Mistakes are sometimes overlooked, which can hinder pupils' overall achievement.
The science and foundation subjects offer an ambitious and engaging curriculum. For instance, in art lessons, pupils study the works of global artists, using these as inspiration for their own creations. However, the school lacks established routines for assessing knowledge retention in some subjects, leading to potential gaps and misconceptions not being identified or addressed.
The school provides personalized support for pupils with special educational needs, ensuring they can access the same lessons as their peers. Staff regularly check understanding and adapt lessons as necessary to meet individual needs. The personal, social, and health education curriculum effectively supports pupils' personal development, teaching them about safety and maintaining good physical and mental health.
Arno Vale Junior School also promotes wider personal development through various clubs and activities in sports, arts, and games. Older pupils take on responsibilities, such as playground ambassadors, and represent the school in sporting competitions. All pupils have opportunities for trips and residential visits, enriching their educational experience.
Staff at the school are enthusiastic and proud to work there, appreciating the support they receive to manage their workload and develop their expertise. Parents and carers express positive views about the school, valuing the care and education provided to their children.
The safeguarding arrangements at Arno Vale Junior School are effective, ensuring a safe environment for all pupils. However, the school needs to establish consistent routines for checking pupil learning across all subjects and maintain high expectations for written work to enhance overall pupil achievement. By addressing these areas, the school can continue to build on its strengths and ensure that all pupils reach their full potential.
