Oldfield Park Junior School in Bath is making headlines for its innovative way of teaching democracy—by allowing children to vote on which teacher gets ‘gunged’ during a school fair. This unique approach is just one example of the school’s commitment to providing enriching and hands-on learning experiences.
Catering to 178 pupils aged five to seven, Oldfield Park was recently praised in an Ofsted report for fostering a “strong sense of belonging” among its students. Inspectors highlighted how staff encourage pupils to actively influence their school community, such as voting on playground equipment purchases to enhance social time.
The school offers a broad range of activities that nurture confidence and creativity. Pupils participate in dance and choir performances and enjoy clubs including gardening, cooking, and art. Exciting career role-play opportunities, like trying out construction work or meeting a marine biologist, help broaden their horizons about future possibilities.
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Oldfield Park’s curriculum is enriched with memorable experiences, such as visits to local restaurants for healthy cooking lessons and immersive history days like the ‘Victorian day’. Grandparents are invited to share stories about toys from different eras, deepening pupils’ connection to their learning.
The report also applauded the school’s inclusive culture, where children with special needs receive excellent support. Pupils learn empathy through activities like wheelchair basketball, gaining insight into different abilities and how to support others.
Most notably, the pupils’ firm grasp of democracy was exemplified when they voted for the staff member to be ‘gunged’—a playful but effective way of showing that their opinions matter.
While the overall report was glowing, Ofsted did identify handwriting instruction as an area for improvement. Some pupils struggle with letter formation errors that are not consistently addressed, impacting their writing accuracy. The school has been advised to refine its methods and provide better support to help pupils improve this skill.
Executive Headteacher Dave Goucher and Head of School Jeff Seatter expressed pride in the school’s nurturing environment: “Our local community infant school has been recognised for creating a welcoming and inclusive place where pupils thrive both academically and personally. The recent inspection highlighted the strong sense of belonging among pupils and the school’s commitment to fostering character, confidence, and responsibility from an early age.”