Chiddingstone Church of England School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils delight in attending this exceptional school. They feel happy, safe and loved. They show compassion for their friends.

Pupils play joyfully at breaktime. Adults and pupils come together each week to dance during the 'Workout Wednesday' activity. They form very positive relationships with one another.

One pupil, reflecting the views of many, said, 'I like that everybody works together and supports each other.'

The school is very ambitious for all pupils. Parents and carers are effusive about how well the school enacts its vision of 'Going above and beyond together'.

Corridors are bedecked with high-quality work that reflects pupils' desire to ...excel. Children in the early years gain the knowledge needed to prepare them well for the transition to Year 1 with confidence and capability. Pupils are inquisitive.

They gain a breadth of knowledge that enables them to thrive. As a result, the strong outcomes in national tests reflect the school's desire for every pupil to succeed.

Pupils' behaviour is exemplary.

They are consistently polite. They demonstrate superb manners to all they encounter. Older pupils buddy with younger pupils.

They visit children in the early years to read and play with them, helping them feel part of the school family.

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

The school provides a curriculum that meets the needs and interests of pupils exceptionally well. There is attention to detail in the curriculum design.

As a result, content is relevant and interesting to pupils. The learning across all subject areas has been thoughtfully sequenced. This helps teachers to draw on what pupils have previously learned to secure their knowledge and understanding.

The curriculum has been carefully crafted to develop pupils' wider experience. Pupils engage in a range of trips beyond the school and learn from visitors to the school. For example, pupils visit a range of historical sites and enjoyed a visit from the local fire service.

Highly competent leadership supports staff well. Leaders help teachers to manage their workload. This enables teachers to focus their time productively in class.

Teachers receive training that refines the way that they teach. Governors work closely with the school to ensure that the ambitious curriculum is being delivered well.

The offer for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) is thorough.

Teachers swiftly identify the needs of pupils. They provide adaptations in class that support pupils to learn alongside their peers. The school also provides a range of intervention activities that nurture pupils' emotional needs well.

As a result, pupils with SEND achieve extremely well.

Teachers help pupils to embed what they learn. They use questioning to check what pupils know.

They swiftly address any misunderstandings as they arise. They make meaningful connections across subjects. As a result, pupils make links between the knowledge learned.

This builds purpose to the learning and develops pupils' strong recall of knowledge.Pupils enjoy learning and achieve exceptionally well. Children in the early years listen attentively in class and relish learning through play.

They quickly learn to read simple words and enjoy story time. The school encourages parents to be part of school life. For example, parents read their child's favourite story to the class.

Older pupils read fluently and have a love of reading. Pupils develop their mathematical knowledge well. Older pupils use their mathematical knowledge to solve a wide range of increasingly complex problems.

They apply what they learn to other subjects well. For example, pupils analyse data in geography and measure accurately in science.

Pupils behave impeccably.

Children in the early years demonstrate empathy and understanding towards one another. They take turns and enjoy learning alongside their classmates. Pupils are clear about the school's expectations for behaviour.

They encourage one another to behave well in class. Pupils attend well. The school diligently supports families of pupils whose attendance falls below their expectations.

This includes support for pupils with SEND to overcome barriers to their attendance.

The school provides a rich offer for personal development. There is an extensive offer of clubs and activities.

These develop and stretch the talents and interests of the pupils. For example, pupils in the school orchestra and choir perform in concerts and events throughout the school year. Pupils attending forest school develop their resilience and independence.

Pupils go on a range of residential trips, including camping and a trip to Paris. These enhance pupils' cultural experiences. Pupils take on a range of responsibilities.

They are empowered to run lunchtime clubs. For example, older pupils run a story-writing club for younger pupils.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.