Perryfields Junior School

Inspection of Perryfields Junior School Lawn Lane, Chelmsford, Essex CM1 7PP

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Inspection dates: 13 and 14 February 2024

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Overall effectiveness Outstanding

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

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Overall effectiveness Outstanding

Previous inspection grade Not previously inspected under section 5 of the Education Act 2005

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Overall effectiveness Outstanding

The headteacher of this school is Jane Hasler. This school is part of Perryfields Enterprise Academy Trust, which means other people in the trust also have responsibility for running the school. The trust is run by the chief executive officer, Jane Hasler, and overseen by a board of trustees, chaired by John Nicholas. 13 and 14 February 2024

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What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils at Perryfields Junior School are surrounded by kindness. Adults treat them with respect and dignity. In return, pupils show compassion and interest in their learning. Being part of such a community, pupils are genuinely happy. They are safe because all adults in the school know them well. Pupils trust adults. This is a very special place.

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What is it like to attend this school?

The school’s expectations of pupils are exceptionally high. Their work is challenging. They meet these challenges head on. Their work ethic is strong, as they want to do well. Pupils want to be proud of what they achieve.

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What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils behave exceptionally well. Their conduct across the school is remarkable. However, pupils do not simply behave well because they are told. They do so because they value having positive attitudes. It is part of the school life that they enjoy.

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What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils are involved with a range of opportunities that enable them to broaden their experiences, improve their physical and mental health and deepen their understanding of their learning. The school offers a wide range of extra-curricular activities well beyond that which might be expected. This offer illustrates its desire to ensure that no pupil wastes a moment of time during school.

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better?

The curriculum is well planned and delivered with great care by staff. Pupils’ understanding is regularly and expertly checked, preventing gaps in knowledge from developing. Teachers explain new information clearly and accurately. As a result of this planning and high levels of consistency, pupils have a deep level of knowledge. They remember, long term, what they have learned. The quality of their work across all their subjects is excellent. Pupils achieve highly.

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better?

The school’s approach to reading is exemplary. Reading is part of everyday life. Pupils who struggle with reading are identified early, encouraged and supported to catch up quickly. There is a culture of reading in the school, from pupil library monitors to engaging stories read enthusiastically by staff. Consequently, pupils are fluent and confident readers.

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better?

The progress of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) is closely tracked. The school ensures that interventions have been adapted as pupils have progressed. The school is justifiably proud of the quality of work and the participation of pupils with SEND in wider activities.

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better?

The school’s programme of personal, social, health and economic education is broad, engaging and promotes curiosity. Pupils have an exceptional knowledge and understanding of the important issues that affect them. These include how to stay 13 and 14 February 2024

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safe, healthy relationships and democracy. More widely, the school has an embedded culture of generosity and respect. This begins with being greeted warmly at the school gate. A huge number of pupils hold a position of responsibility within the school. House, art and sports captains are enthusiastic about their role. Pupils take their responsibilities seriously. They make a very positive difference to the school. Pupils consistently demonstrate the very best of human nature – kindness, respect and happiness.

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Pupils attend school regularly. Consequently, they take advantage of the high quality of education offered by the school. The school knows families well and works effectively with parents if a pupil is struggling to attend school. The culture and routines developed by the school ensure that it is a very orderly community. Pupils describe lessons as being calm. They play together happily and actively at social times. They show good manners in the canteen during lunchtime.

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The school has the best interests of pupils at the centre of everything it does. The overall effectiveness of the school is testament to the determination of leaders at all levels. They consistently promote the highest standards. Leaders have successfully engaged the local community and their own staff, who are overwhelmingly positive about the school. Leaders’ drive has ensured that staff access development and training opportunities that significantly benefit them and the pupils.

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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). 13 and 14 February 2024

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School details

Website www.perryfields-jun.essex.sch.uk

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School details

Date of previous inspection Not previously inspected

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Information about this school

 The school is the only school in the Perryfields Enterprise Academy Trust. The school became an academy in December 2016.  The school offers wraparound childcare. This is managed by the school.  The school does not make use of any 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.  This was the first routine inspection the school received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. Inspectors discussed the impact of the pandemic with the school and have taken that into account in their evaluation of the school.  The inspectors met with the school’s senior leaders and trustees, including the chair of governors, chair of trustees and the chief executive officer. 13 and 14 February 2024

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 The inspectors carried out deep dives in these subjects: mathematics, early reading, science and physical education. For each deep dive, inspectors held discussions about the curriculum, visited a sample of lessons, spoke to teachers, spoke to some pupils about their learning and looked at samples of pupils’ work.  To evaluate the effectiveness of safeguarding, the 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.  The inspection team considered the views of parents through responses to Ofsted Parent View. Inspectors gathered the views of pupils and staff through Ofsted’s pupil and staff surveys, as well as interviews and discussions conducted throughout the inspection.

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Inspection team

Jonathan Rockey, lead inspector His Majesty’s Inspector

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Inspection team

Sally Nutman Ofsted Inspector 13 and 14 February 2024

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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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