Light Oaks Junior School

Overview

Light Oaks Junior School provides a “calm and loving environment” where pupils are “happy and well cared for.” The inspection found that relationships are strong, with pupils demonstrating “high levels of respect” and thriving in a setting that prioritises emotional well-being.

Strengths

• The curriculum is “well organised and carefully considered,” with teachers clear on what to teach and how to help pupils link new learning to prior knowledge.
• Reading is a high priority, with the majority of pupils speaking with “pleasure about the books that they have read.”
• Staff support pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) effectively, ensuring every pupil is included and builds independence.
• Governors are “knowledgeable” and able to hold the school to account, while staff value the “high-quality training” they receive.
• Pupils demonstrate strong knowledge of fundamental British values and understand how to keep themselves physically and mentally healthy.

Areas to improve

• Gaps in learning, particularly for disadvantaged pupils with poor attendance, are “not being tackled effectively enough” to ensure they catch up.
• Staff do not routinely address errors in writing, such as spelling and letter formation, meaning pupils do not develop accuracy and continue with misconceptions.

Safeguarding

The report states that “the arrangements for safeguarding are effective.”