Little Kingshill Combined School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Main findings

Little Kingshill provides an outstanding education for its pupils.

Parents and carers think highly of the school and the views of two are typical of many when commenting: 'I think the headteacher is doing a fantastic job and has improved the school in the time she has been there; she has huge enthusiasm and ideas to take the school even further' and 'Little Kingshill is a wonderful school and has provided my two daughters with a fantastic learning environment. The teachers work tirelessly both inside and outside the classroom'. Pupils' achievement is outstanding.

After a good start in the Early Years Foundation Stage, they make exceptional progress throughout Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 so th...at their attainment in the key areas of English and mathematics is high by the end of Year 6. More-able pupils are challenged effectively, ensuring they reach their potential and pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities are extremely well supported enabling them to make outstanding progress and attain much better than their peers nationally. Teachers know their pupils exceptionally well and the excellent use of assessment information ensures that work is challenging for all.

They make learning exciting so that pupils maintain their interest. Pupils' great enthusiasm for school and learning is reflected in the high levels of attendance. Their outstanding behaviour and high attendance contribute very effectively to the positive learning environment where they are keen to support one another.

They feel exceptionally safe and a high proportion take part in the many sporting activities that contribute to their healthy lifestyles. The school has developed excellent links with schools in Africa and Europe, for example by providing pupils with uniforms, and this has contributed well to pupils' awareness of people from other countries. However, the school has rightly identified the need to ensure pupils develop a greater understanding of people from different backgrounds in the United Kingdom and has begun to establish links with other schools further afield to help it achieve its goal in this aspect.

As a result of extremely high-quality care, guidance and support, most aspects of pupils' personal development are outstanding. School leaders have a very clear picture of the school's strengths and areas for development. They have been very effective in maintaining high standards since the previous inspection.

However, there has been no complacency and the first-rate headteacher and senior leaders, together with a very influential and active governing body, have been successful in improving the school's provision. Rigorous monitoring of learning by senior leaders has been very effective in raising the quality of teaching. Links with parents and carers are good although the school acknowledges parents and carers of children in the Early Years Foundation Stage should have more involvement in the assessment of their children's work.

There has been a very successful emphasis on improving the skills of middle and senior leaders and this, together with improvements in teaching and learning and the school's continuing high standards, demonstrates that the school is extremely well placed to sustain its capacity for further improvements.

Information about the school

Little Kingshill is an average-sized primary school. Most pupils are of White British heritage.

A small but increasing proportion speaks English as an additional language. The proportion of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals is well below that seen nationally. The proportion of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities is below average.

Most of these pupils have moderate learning difficulties. The Early Years Foundation Stage caters for children in a Reception class, which operates from the main school site and a morning-only Nursery class in a separate building a short distance away. The school has achieved a number of external accreditations including the Healthy Schools status, Sports Activemark and the ECO School award.

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