Pound Hill Junior School in Crawley has been recognized as a good school following its inspection on February 6 and 7, 2024. The school demonstrates exceptional pupil behavior and attitudes towards learning, fostering strong relationships among students and staff. The effective management of behavior instills a sense of responsibility in pupils, who understand the expectations set for them. The school's behavior policy is consistently applied, contributing to a safe and joyful environment where bullying is addressed promptly and sensitively. The school promotes good attendance and punctuality, with older pupils thriving in leadership roles, such as running the stationery shop and assisting younger students.
The curriculum at Pound Hill Junior School is ambitious and designed to meet the needs of all pupils. Staff maintain high expectations for student achievement, and those with special educational needs and disabilities receive effective support. Most pupils achieve high outcomes in reading, mathematics, and particularly writing by the end of key stage two. The school’s values of independence, achievement, creativity, fairness, and resilience are well understood by pupils, who feel prepared for their next educational stage.
The school excels in its core subjects, with mathematics lessons engaging pupils in problem-solving and applying learned strategies. In English, pupils connect with key texts that enhance their learning experience. The curriculum in wider subjects, such as geography, is sequenced effectively, allowing pupils to build knowledge over time. However, there are areas for improvement, particularly in some foundation subjects where key learning is not always revisited, hindering some pupils from building on prior knowledge.
Reading instruction is generally effective, with staff employing various strategies to support pupils who struggle. Books are matched to the phonics knowledge of early readers, although there is a need for further development of phonics expertise among the staff to ensure all pupils achieve their reading potential. While most pupils with special educational needs receive timely support, a small number require more consistent implementation of their specific targets to enhance their learning.
The relationships between staff and pupils are characterized by care and joy, with pupils actively participating in extracurricular activities such as sports and arts. They learn about democracy and contribute positively to the school community, taking on roles like school councillors. The school organizes trips that build confidence and prepare pupils for future challenges.
Governors are aware of the school's strengths and areas for development, providing support and challenge to ensure sustained improvements, particularly for disadvantaged pupils. The school engages positively with parents and carers, and staff feel supported in managing their workload, allowing them to focus on teaching.
The safeguarding arrangements at Pound Hill Junior School are effective, ensuring the safety and well-being of all pupils. To improve further, the school should enhance staff training in phonics and early reading, ensuring consistent implementation across the team. Additionally, the curriculum in some subjects needs to provide more opportunities for pupils to revisit essential knowledge and vocabulary, strengthening their foundations for future learning. The school must also ensure that individual targets for pupils needing additional support are consistently implemented to maximize their learning potential. Overall, Pound Hill Junior School continues to provide a supportive and effective educational environment for its pupils.
