Walsh CofE Junior School, located in Ash, Surrey, was inspected on 14 and 15 June 2022. The overall effectiveness of the school was rated as requiring improvement, along with the quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management. This was consistent with the previous inspection grade. The school provides a calm and safe environment for learning, where pupils attend regularly and express enjoyment in coming to school. They generally behave well during social times and are polite and courteous. Recent efforts to emphasize school rules have led to improvements in behaviour, and incidents of bullying are now addressed promptly by school leaders.
Leaders at Walsh CofE Junior School are committed to supporting pupils' personal development and have organized enriching trips and visits that expose students to diverse cultures and faiths. Pupils actively participate in various events to support local and national charities and take on responsibilities such as school councillors and reading ambassadors. However, despite these positive aspects, the school faces challenges in ensuring that all pupils, including those with special educational needs and disabilities, achieve their full potential across the curriculum. The curriculum has been identified as weak, partly due to a lack of professional development for curriculum leaders since the last inspection.
While improvements have been made in certain subjects, such as mathematics and science, where teachers effectively use assessment information to plan lessons, other subjects like geography and reading have not seen the same level of success. This inconsistency in teaching practices has hindered some pupils from securing foundational knowledge necessary for their academic success. Additionally, while staff have received training to support pupils struggling with reading, there are instances where the agreed phonics teaching approach is not consistently followed, impacting pupils' progress in becoming confident readers.
Leaders have introduced enrichment activities to provide pupils with broader experiences, but these activities are not fully integrated into the curriculum, limiting opportunities for pupils to build on their learning over time. Pupils are aware of the importance of listening and following instructions, but there have been instances where behaviour has not met expectations, particularly when tasks are not well-matched to their abilities.
The governing body has implemented systems to monitor leaders' work effectively, resulting in a clearer understanding of the school's strengths and weaknesses. Staff feel supported by leaders, who have taken steps to reduce their workload. The safeguarding arrangements at the school are effective, with robust recruitment processes and well-trained staff who are vigilant in identifying pupils at risk of harm. Pupils are educated on how to keep themselves safe in various situations, including online dangers.
To improve, the school needs to provide better support for teachers in delivering the curriculum and using assessment strategies effectively. There is a need for a systematic approach to developing pupils' reading skills, ensuring that all staff understand the expectations of the reading strategy. Additionally, the school should continue to embed behaviour protocols and ensure that all teachers maintain high expectations for pupil conduct. Overall, while Walsh CofE Junior School has made strides in certain areas, significant work remains to enhance the quality of education and ensure that all pupils achieve their potential.
