Salmestone Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school The headteacher has established a culture of high expectations, of both pupils and teachers. As a result, significant improvements have been secured in the quality of education provided by the school. The headteacher has developed a strong leadership team.

Leaders at all levels are skilful and motivated. They provide staff with high-quality support that has significantly strengthened teaching throughout the school. The multi-academy trust (MAT) provides effective support.

Leaders and governors have benefited from the guidance and challenge provided. Leaders ensure that pupils enjoy a varied and interesting curriculum. Most pupils now make... strong progress in a range of subjects, including English and mathematics.

Nevertheless, more pupils need to achieve the expected standards for their age at the end of Year 6. Pupils have positive attitudes to learning. In all subjects, they take great pride in their work, which is neat and well presented.

Teachers now plan work that more accurately matches pupils' starting points. They provide pupils with helpful and perceptive guidance on how to improve. However, sufficient challenge is not routinely provided for the most able pupils.

As a result, these pupils do not always make the progress of which they are capable. Pupils show respect for adults and their classmates. They are polite, friendly and welcoming.

Pupils behave well in lessons and at breaktimes. Leaders and teachers ensure that pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are well supported. As a result, these pupils make rapid progress.

Disadvantaged pupils make good progress. This is because teachers plan learning tasks that closely meet their needs. Children in the Nursery and Reception get off to a good start to their education.

Teachers plan provision well so that children thrive in the nurturing environment.

Information about this school

Salmestone Primary School is larger than the average-sized primary school. There are two classes in each year group from Reception Year to Year 6.

The early years provision comprises one Nursery and two Reception classes. Children attend Nursery part time and Reception full time. The proportion of pupils known to be eligible for support through the pupil premium, which provides additional funding for children looked after by the local authority and pupils known to be eligible for free school meals, is well above the national average.

The proportion of pupils with SEND is broadly in line with the national average. The current headteacher has been in post since January 2017. The school is part of The Kemnal Academies Trust's Thanet division.

A regional executive director has oversight of the five primary schools in this division of this large MAT. The MAT works closely with school leaders, providing effective challenge. Regular evaluations of leaders and the quality of teaching and learning are undertaken to check that the school is improving rapidly.

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