The John Hampden School

Overview

This ungraded inspection confirms the school remains ‘good’, with evidence suggesting it could achieve ‘outstanding’ if a graded inspection were conducted now. Pupils ‘love to learn’ and are ‘highly motivated’, benefiting from a ‘welcoming, nurturing environment’ that fosters strong academic and social development. The school’s clear values and high expectations ensure children leave Year 2 ‘very much ready for junior school’.

Strengths

• The early years provide an ‘exceptional start’, with staff seizing every opportunity to support communication and language development in ‘carefully designed’ environments.
• The Key Stage 1 curriculum is ‘extremely well considered’, using ‘golden threads’ of key ideas to build solid knowledge and ensure pupils ‘recall their prior learning very well’.
• Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) ‘achieve exceptionally well’ due to ‘thoughtful adaptations’ and precise support plans.
• Reading is promoted effectively, with pupils learning to read ‘swiftly and with great fluency’ through expertly delivered phonics lessons.
• Governors provide ‘highly effective support and challenge’, ensuring all pupils, particularly the most vulnerable, receive what they need to learn.

Areas to improve

• The report identifies no significant areas for improvement.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.