Oldfield Park Junior School in Bath is proud to announce the publication of its latest Ofsted report, which celebrates the school as a place where children thrive, feel safe, love to attend, embrace an engaging and ambitious curriculum, and a library that is the epicentre of the school!
The inspection, conducted on 4 & 5 February 2025, highlights the strong sense of its caring community and the positive relationships between pupils, parents, and staff.
The report states, ‘Pupils thrive in this safe, friendly school. They know that any worries will be dealt with quickly by a trusted adult. Parents and carers value the caring community the school engenders. They rightly say their children love going to school. Pupils are kind and enjoy positive relationships with each other and the staff.’
The report also commends the school in its work on instilling a thirst for knowledge in their children and that they strive to achieve their very best. This is complemented by the strong personal development offer, numerous leadership roles, and opportunities for added responsibility and, consequently, children are prepared for the future.
‘Pupils are very well prepared for life beyond school. The school prioritises emotional and mental health. Pupils learn the language needed to share their feelings or concerns. Pupils learn about sustainability by actively reducing food waste. They make soup and bread from the crops they grow at the gardening club. This encourages them to become responsible citizens.’
The inspector noted that, ‘Pupils behave with respect and consideration for others in this inclusive school. Learning proceeds without disruption and pupils are fully engaged in their learning. This is due to the high expectations staff have for all pupils.’
All staff were highly praised for their dedication to improving the lives of every child, consistently going above and beyond to ensure all are happy and successful. With a strong passion for education, teachers foster an environment where every student feels supported, valued, and challenged to reach their full potential. Their deep subject knowledge and commitment to continuous professional development allow them to deliver engaging and inspiring lessons that cater to the individual needs of the children. Leadership is strong and staff feel listened to and cared for.
The report states that, ‘Leaders have a secure understanding of the strengths and priorities of the school. Alongside the trust, they work together to ensure everyone flourishes. When new initiatives are introduced, leaders take account of staff well-being and reduce excessive workload.’
Head of School, Mrs Rachael Van Roy, shared her pride in the school community commenting, “This fantastic result wouldn’t have been possible without the incredible efforts of our amazing team. I’m so proud of what we’ve achieved together. Our children are fantastic, and the support of our wider school community has been invaluable. Together, we’re creating an environment where everyone can succeed.”
Executive Head Teacher, Mr Dave Goucher, also noted, “The report quite rightly reflects what a cracking school OPJ is! Indeed, it is true testament to the hard work and dedication of our amazing staff, support of OPJ from our amazing community and, of course, our amazing cherubs who are a true delight!”
Donna Tandy, CEO of the Palladian Academy Trust, added, “I am delighted for the whole school community that the report recognises the strengths of Oldfield Park Junior School, the strong leadership and the excellent and equitable opportunities on offer for the pupils. We are proud to celebrate this report with them and delighted that inspectors noted the positive impact being part of Palladian Academy Trust has on pupils and colleagues.”
Photo: Tom Smith Photography
