Bromley Heath Junior School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Bromley Heath Junior School is a place where pupils learn to be thoughtful individuals who contribute to their community and the wider world. This reflects the school's values, which include respect, responsibility and positivity. The warm and nurturing relationships between staff and pupils are special.

The school has high expectations for its pupils. Pupils are keen to learn and achieve well. Staff ensure that each pupil is considered in everything they do.

Staff know and understand pupils' needs. Pupils are happy and safe. They are extremely proud of their school and attend regularly.

Pupils' behaviour is exceptional in lessons and during social times. The...y demonstrate high levels of kindness towards one another. Pupils are extremely polite and well-mannered.

They accept each other's differences and show tolerance and empathy.

The provision for pupils' wider development is outstanding. Pupils take pleasure in the wealth of sports, drama and musical opportunities on offer.

These activities develop pupils' interests and talents.

The school provides significant pastoral support to pupils and their families. Parents and carers are delighted with the school and appreciate all that it does for them.

Typical comments include how the school is 'supportive, caring and knowledgeable' and 'has the needs of the children at the centre of its ethos'.

What does the school do well and what does it need to do better?

The school is aspirational for all pupils. An inclusive culture has been developed where every child matters.

The school's vision is shared by the wider school community. The school is unwavering in its determination to provide the very best learning experiences for the pupils. High-quality training for staff is pivotal to the success of this school.

Staff value the training, coaching and mentoring they receive. This means staff are confident and effective teachers with secure subject knowledge and pedagogy.

The school provides pupils with a curriculum that is ambitious and excites pupils in their learning.

It identifies the essential knowledge, skills and vocabulary for pupils to learn. However, the school has been right to identify that more work is needed to ensure that checks on what pupils know and remember are implemented consistently well across all subjects. Some pupils are not able to remember the knowledge they have been taught which can hamper the progress they make.

Staff see pupils' ability to read with accuracy and confidence as essential for their future success. Staff are skilled in the teaching of reading. They quickly identify pupils who are at risk of falling behind and provide support to help them to keep up.

Books are carefully chosen to ensure they precisely match pupils' phonic knowledge. Pupils become fluent readers. Pupils enjoy story time.

Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities, are at the forefront of the school's work. Staff identify pupils' barriers to learning accurately. Adaptations to learning are made to ensure pupils get the support they need.

This helps pupils learn the same curriculum as their classmates and achieve well.

The school was quick to analyse why the published outcomes in 2024 for Year 6 pupils in writing at greater depth were lower than they had hoped. As a result, swift action has been taken.

There is clear evidence that current pupils' writing shows their command of the vocabulary, coherence and confidence in writing to ensure this outcome is not repeated.

Pupils relish the roles and responsibilities afforded to them. These include being sports leaders and 'buddies'.

The school council is proactive. This allows pupils to have a voice and take responsibility for their school.

Pupils learn how to become thoughtful and caring citizens.

They respect and appreciate the diversity of the world in which they live. They enjoy their involvement in and support of local charities. Pupils comment how staff 'encourage us never to hide away and to be ourselves'.

Staff are extremely proud to work at the school and comment how they 'feel great coming to work' and being part of the 'BHJS family'. They welcome the support and consideration of leaders to manage their workload and well-being.

Governors are acutely aware of their roles and responsibilities and fulfil their statutory duties.

They are visible within the school and do not shy away from holding the school to account for the quality of education and care they provide. As a result, pupils experience success and have the confidence and resilience for the next stage of their education.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

• Some pupils are not supported well enough to remember the key knowledge across the subjects they study. As a result, some pupils struggle to recall the essential knowledge they have previously learned. The school should ensure that the systems for assessment in place are securely embedded so that pupils know and remember more.

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