Jolesfield CofE Primary School

Overview

Pupils enjoy attending this school, where staff foster a strong sense of community and high expectations for learning. The curriculum has been thoughtfully overhauled and is ambitious for all pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities. While most subjects are coherently organised, leaders are still refining the sequencing of learning in a small number of areas.

Strengths

• Pupils exemplify values of ‘thankfulness, respect, teamwork, kindness and positivity’, creating a supportive environment where bullying is not tolerated.
• Teachers deliver the curriculum well in most subjects, using clear explanations and effective questioning to help pupils confidently recall knowledge.
• Reading is prioritised through a rigorous phonics approach, with leaders ensuring texts match pupils’ known sounds to build fluency and accuracy.
• The moral and cultural development of pupils is a strength, with a strong focus on equalities, respect, and tolerance from Reception onwards.
• Leaders are mindful of staff workload and provide professional development, while maintaining effective systems to identify and support pupils with SEND.

Areas to improve

• In a few subjects, including in the early years, leaders are still refining the curriculum, meaning teachers are not always clear on precisely what knowledge needs to be taught and when.
• Where guidance about the sequencing of learning is not yet clear enough, activities are not necessarily matched well to what pupils already know, and teachers are not always building on secure foundations.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with a strong culture of looking after pupils’ well-being and staff trained to accurately record worries and take timely action.