John F Kennedy Primary School, located in Columbia, Washington, has been recognized as a good school following its inspection on September 14 and 15, 2021. The school is characterized by a positive learning environment where pupils feel safe and valued. Students express high regard for the care and kindness shown by teachers and staff, which contributes to a supportive atmosphere conducive to learning and social interaction. The school emphasizes the importance of teaching pupils about cyberbullying and road safety, further enhancing their sense of security.
The commitment of the staff to the academic success of all pupils is evident, as they strive to ensure that students achieve well, particularly in reading. However, there is a recognition that additional support is needed for the youngest readers to enhance their literacy skills. School leaders are dedicated to fostering pupils' reading abilities and broader interests through various initiatives, including forest school activities, music clubs, and peripatetic tuition, which engage and excite students.
During the inspection, pupils demonstrated attentiveness in class and eagerness to participate in discussions and activities. At playtime, they actively engage in physical activities, although some students noted that playtime can occasionally become chaotic, impacting the calmness of lessons. The school has recently opened an additional resource provision for pupils with autism spectrum disorder, known as The Treehouse, which supports the integration of students with special educational needs and disabilities into mainstream lessons, helping them achieve positive outcomes.
The school leadership is actively reviewing and enhancing the curriculum, having recently introduced more structured plans across various subjects, including mathematics. This structured approach ensures that pupils learn content aligned with national curriculum objectives. In mathematics, teachers effectively emphasize challenging vocabulary and utilize resources and assessments to identify pupils needing additional support.
Despite these advancements, some curriculum plans, particularly in foundation subjects like history, are still in the early stages of development. While these plans outline essential knowledge for pupils, they do not adequately address how students will build their understanding of complex concepts over time. Staff training in phonics is ongoing, with the aim of ensuring that most pupils learn to read effectively. However, inconsistencies in phonics instruction and the matching of reading materials to pupils' phonics knowledge have been identified as areas for improvement.
Staff morale at the school is high, with teachers and support staff appreciating the approachable nature of school leaders and their understanding of the challenges faced in education. Leaders have implemented strategies to reduce workload, fostering a collaborative and positive working environment. The Treehouse provision has been well-received, with knowledgeable staff providing tailored support for pupils with SEND, enabling them to participate successfully in mainstream lessons.
Pupils are encouraged to engage in discussions about friendships, bullying, healthy eating, and religion, fostering confidence in sharing their thoughts. The school has effective safeguarding arrangements, with thorough systems in place to ensure the safety of pupils. Overall, while John F Kennedy Primary School is recognized as a good school, there are areas identified for further development, particularly in phonics instruction and the sequencing of the curriculum in foundation subjects. The leadership team is committed to addressing these areas to enhance the educational experience for all pupils.
