St Philip and James’ Church of England Aided Primary School in Oxford has been recognized as a good school following its inspection on July 3 and 4, 2023. The school fosters a strong sense of community among its pupils, who take pride in being part of the ‘Phil and Jim’ community. The values of love, compassion, and community are deeply embedded in the school culture, encouraging pupils to be friendly and welcoming to one another. This kindness is particularly evident during playtime, where pupils share equipment and invite others to join their activities.
The leadership team at the school maintains high expectations for both pupil achievement and behavior. As a result, pupils strive to meet these expectations, leading to positive behavior in lessons and throughout the school. They appreciate recognition for their successes, whether through displayed work or house points, and enjoy warm, respectful relationships with their teachers. The school environment is caring and attentive, contributing to pupils feeling happy and safe. Incidents of bullying are rare, and pupils are confident that their concerns will be addressed.
The school offers a variety of wider learning opportunities, including clubs and educational trips, which pupils value highly. Events such as the Year 6 residential and themed days, like the Year 4 ‘Roman Day,’ stimulate curiosity and ambition among pupils. The curriculum is ambitious and aligns with national standards, with leaders effectively supporting middle leaders in refining subject planning to ensure a coherent learning experience. The school’s performance in the 2022 key stage 2 national tests was significantly above the national average, reflecting the strength of its core curriculum.
Teachers demonstrate secure subject knowledge and effectively explain new concepts. They utilize questioning and modeling techniques to enhance understanding, as seen in early years mathematics lessons where bean bags illustrate number combinations. Adaptations are made for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities, ensuring they progress well within the curriculum. However, in some foundation subjects, assessment practices need improvement to better identify knowledge gaps among pupils.
The reading curriculum is robust, with phonics instruction starting in Reception. Targeted support is provided for pupils struggling with reading, enabling them to become confident readers. Regular reading practices encourage pupils to engage in discussions about the books they read, enhancing their comprehension and critical thinking skills.
The school promotes a positive learning culture, with routines established in early years that support effective learning. Teachers employ strategies to manage low-level disruptions, ensuring that pupils remain focused. The wider curriculum prepares pupils for life in modern Britain, encouraging them to reflect on social issues and engage in community initiatives, such as advocating for recycling bins in response to ocean pollution concerns.
Leaders are dedicated to fostering high aspirations among pupils and regularly evaluate the impact of their improvement strategies. The governing body provides knowledgeable support and challenge to school leaders, while staff appreciate the commitment to their well-being and workload management. Safeguarding arrangements are effective, with thorough training for staff to recognize and report concerns. Leaders ensure compliance with safer recruitment practices, maintaining a vigilant approach to safeguarding responsibilities.
Overall, St Philip and James’ Church of England Aided Primary School continues to provide a nurturing and effective educational environment, with a strong emphasis on community values, academic achievement, and personal development. The school is committed to ongoing improvement, particularly in enhancing assessment practices in foundation subjects to better inform teaching and address knowledge gaps among pupils.