Humberstone Junior School

Inspection of Humberstone Junior School Main Street, Humberstone, Leicester, Leicestershire LE5 1AE

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Inspection dates: 31 October and 1 November 2023

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Overall effectiveness Outstanding

The quality of education Outstanding Behaviour and attitudes Outstanding Personal development Outstanding Leadership and management Outstanding Previous inspection grade Outstanding

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Overall effectiveness Outstanding

The headteacher of this school is Annemarie Williams. This school is part of Odyssey Educational Trust, which means other people in the trust also have responsibility for running the school. The trust is run by the chief executive officer, Annemarie Williams, and overseen by a board of trustees, chaired by Kathryn Smith. 31 October and 1 November 2023

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What is it like to attend this school?

The school has the highest expectations and aspirations for all. Pupils like the way that staff push them to be the ‘best versions of themselves’ and to believe in their own ability.

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What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils make the most of the high-quality teaching they receive across the curriculum. They excel in all subjects. However, it is not just in lessons that pupils get a fantastic deal. The school’s work on personal development is outstanding. There is a plethora of wonderful opportunities to broaden pupils’ horizons and help them become well-rounded, healthy, courteous citizens. The school’s work to build pupils’ strength of character is exemplary.

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What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils feel at home in this inclusive, safe environment. They say, ‘It’s a very welcoming school – when new people arrive, they make friends easily,’ and ‘There are always people here to help you, whether with your learning or with other problems.’

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What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils behave impeccably. They are polite and respectful to all. In class, pupils show a thirst for learning. They try their absolute best and consistently produce work of a high standard. On the playground, pupils play happily together. They are very proud of their school.

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better?

The school’s curriculum is meticulously planned. The essential knowledge and vocabulary that pupils must learn have been clearly set out in a logical, progressive order. Staff emphasise this essential content in their teaching. They check that pupils have a secure grasp of it before moving on. Staff model learning precisely so that pupils know exactly what they must do and how to do it. Staff link new learning to what has been covered before so that pupils deepen their understanding of important concepts over time. The impact of such excellent teaching can be seen in pupils’ work and the rich body of knowledge they are able to recall and use.

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better?

All pupils achieve incredibly well at Humberstone Junior School. The school has the highest ambitions for all pupils. This includes for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), disadvantaged pupils and pupils who speak English as an additional language. Staff ensure that these pupils get the support they need to thrive.

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better?

Oracy is a cornerstone of the curriculum and a key reason behind the school’s success. Staff ask pupils to speak in full sentences and to use sophisticated, technical language. They encourage the use of ‘sentence stems’ so that pupils link their contributions to what others have said. This approach results in pupils becoming articulate communicators who can use the knowledge they have gained confidently and fluently. 31 October and 1 November 2023

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The school’s top priority is for all pupils to read well and for all pupils to want to read. Any pupil who needs help with phonics gets it straight away. Staff are experts in teaching reading. They are incredibly enthusiastic and knowledgeable about books. The passion staff have for reading is reflected in pupils’ attitudes. Pupils love reading, too. Every corridor is adorned with displays to celebrate great stories. Pupils cannot wait for their turn to visit the library each week.

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The programme of events to develop pupils’ talents and interests is exceptional. The proactive ‘pupil leadership team’ acts on pupils’ views and ideas. ‘Well-being warriors’ are on hand to provide support for their peers. Carefully planned projects culminate in pupils sharing their learning publicly. These challenges include leading tours of Roman Leicester and putting on exhibitions at a local art gallery. The school is preparing pupils very well for life in modern Britain. Pupils know why fundamental British values and protected characteristics are important. Pupils say, ‘They are there to create a pleasant society where everyone can be themselves.’

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The school is extremely well led. The trust makes frequent checks on pupils’ achievements across the curriculum. Leaders ensure that staff have the expertise to teach all subjects very well. Staff like the team ethos and they appreciate the support for their workload and well-being.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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How can I feed back my views?

or to find out what other parents and carers think. We use information from Ofsted Parent View when deciding which schools to inspect, when to inspect them and as part of their inspection.

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How can I feed back my views?

The Department for Education has further guidance on how to complain about a school.

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Further information

You can search for published performance information about the school.

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Further information

In the report, ‘disadvantaged pupils’ is used to mean pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND); pupils who meet the definition of children in need of help and protection ; pupils receiving statutory local authority support from a social worker; and pupils who otherwise meet the criteria used for deciding the school’s pupil premium funding (this includes pupils claiming free school meals at any point in the last six years, looked after children (children in local authority care) and/or children who left care through adoption or another formal route). 31 October and 1 November 2023

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School details

Headteacher Annemarie Williams (Executive Headteacher) Website www.humberstonejunioracademy.co.uk/

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School details

Dates of previous inspection 4 and 5 May 2022, under section 8 of the Education Act 2005

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Information about this school

 The school uses no alternative provision.

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Information about this inspection

The inspectors carried out this graded inspection under section 5 of the Education Act 2005.

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Information about this inspection

 Inspections are a point-in-time judgement about the quality of a school’s education provision.  Inspectors discussed any continued impact of the pandemic with the school and have taken that into account in their evaluation of the school.  Inspectors carried out deep dives in reading, mathematics, history, art and design, and physical education. For the deep dives, inspectors discussed the curriculum with subject leaders, visited lessons, spoke to teachers and pupils and looked at samples of pupils’ work. 31 October and 1 November 2023

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 Inspectors also considered the curriculums for design and technology, geography, computing and religious education and spoke to pupils about their learning in these subjects.  Inspectors met with the executive headteacher, subject leaders and a sample of teaching and support staff, including teachers in the early stages of their teaching career. Inspectors met with the leaders with responsibility for pupils with SEND, behaviour and personal development.  To evaluate the effectiveness of safeguarding, inspectors: reviewed the single central record; took account of the views of leaders, staff and pupils; and considered the extent to which the school has created an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts pupils’ interests first.  Inspectors examined a range of school documentation, including leaders’ self- evaluation, the school development plan and documentation relating to pupils’

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behaviour, attendance and governance.  The lead inspector listened to a sample of pupils in Year 3 read to a familiar adult. Inspectors met with groups of pupils from across the school.  The lead inspector met with trustees from Odyssey Educational Trust, including the chair of trustees.  Inspectors considered the responses to Ofsted’s online questionnaire, Ofsted Parent View, and the results of the Ofsted staff survey.

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Inspection team

Shaun Carter, lead inspector His Majesty’s Inspector

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Inspection team

Liz Moore Ofsted Inspector 31 October and 1 November 2023

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regulates and inspects to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children’s social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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