Christ The King Catholic School, Amesbury

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Christ The King Catholic School is a welcoming and friendly school. Pupils are polite and get on well together. They play happily and look out for one another at breaktimes, including pupils from the specialist resource base 'The Ark'.

Pupils say that 'everyone gets included'.

There have been significant staffing changes since the previous inspection. This has slowed the pace of improvement.

However, in the last year, leaders have worked with determination to halt the decline and put things right. Their hard work is paying off, especially in English and mathematics. Nevertheless, leaders know that the quality of education provided in the wider curriculum is n...ot yet good enough.

Pupils report that behaviour is improving. They enjoy earning stars on their wristbands for showing positive behaviours. Pupils wear these with pride.

Bullying is not an issue. Pupils feel safe and are confident that adults will help sort out any worries they have. Despite leaders' efforts, too many pupils do not attend school as often as they should.

Staff provide many opportunities for pupils' spiritual development. Through prayer and reflection time, pupils learn the importance of respect and love for each other. As a result, they understand how to treat people equally.

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

Since his appointment, the executive headteacher has established effective systems to begin to improve the quality of education. Alongside senior leaders, he has raised expectations of what pupils are capable of. Leaders have built the school's curriculum right from the beginning.

They have rightly focused on sequencing an effective curriculum in English and mathematics to ensure that pupils secure their basic skills. This is making a noticeable difference.

Leaders have not been as successful in implementing plans for the remaining curriculum subjects.

As a result, pupils have gaps in their knowledge and understanding. Curriculum leaders have put in place an ambitious and well-sequenced curriculum in some subjects. In science, for example, pupils in key stage 2 understand and talk confidently about concepts like gravity and light.

However, in other subjects, such as history and computing, teachers are just beginning to use the new curriculum plans. It is too soon to know if they are helping pupils to know more and remember more.

Leaders have made reading a priority.

All staff are confident in the school's approach to teaching phonics. In Reception, children begin to learn phonics right from the start. There are ambitious end points for pupils to reach each term.

Staff use assessment well. They make use of extra time throughout the day to support those pupils who need a boost. Many are catching up quickly.

However, for a minority of pupils who need the most support, occasionally, the books they read are too hard. This hinders their ability to read fluently. Older pupils talk enthusiastically about reading.

They enjoy listening to stories in class. Many say this inspires them to read at home.

There is a clearly thought-out sequence to the teaching of mathematics and writing.

In Reception, teachers plan activities to support children's learning. They have lots of opportunities to count, draw and order numbers successfully. In Years 5 and 6, pupils are becoming confident writers.

Teachers' high expectations mean that pupils write in different styles and with increasing accuracy.

Staff are beginning to apply the new behaviour policy consistently. Most pupils conduct themselves in lessons and around the school sensibly.

Pupils know the consequences of not following the school's rules. As a result, interruptions to learning are reducing.

Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are fully involved in the life of the school.

Leaders have an in-depth understanding of pupils with complex needs. Staff are becoming better equipped at adapting and personalising learning so that all pupils can succeed. For example, in key stage 2, pupils with SEND independently use a range of equipment in lessons to support their learning.

Pupils enjoy opportunities to discuss and debate aspects of life, including equality and race issues. They are confident to challenge any form of discrimination. Leaders have bolstered pupils' physical and emotional well-being by employing sports coaches at lunchtimes and teaching older pupils about mindfulness.

Pupils say this is helping them to manage their emotions.

Governors share leaders' ambitions. They ask challenging questions to check the impact of the school's priorities.

They hold leaders to account rigorously, including overseeing how well the curriculum meets the needs of pupils with SEND. Governors are considerate of staff workload and well-being. Staff feel well supported by governors and leaders.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

Leaders have strengthened the safeguarding culture in the school. Staff are knowledgeable about how to spot and report signs of concern.

Governors are aware of their safeguarding responsibilities. For example, they know that the attendance of some disadvantaged pupils is not good enough. They are working with school leaders to keep this at the forefront of their work.

Pupils feel safe in school. They know who to approach if they have concerns. While online safety is part of the curriculum, opportunities to deepen pupils' understanding of social media and mobile technology are weak.

What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

• A minority of pupils in Reception and Years 1, 2 and 3, who are at the early stages of reading, struggle to read fluently. The books they are reading are too hard for them. Leaders need to ensure that these pupils access books that match their phonics knowledge so that they develop fluency and confidence.

• Teachers are in the early stages of implementing new curriculum plans for many subjects in the wider curriculum. As a result, pupils have gaps in their learning in some areas. Leaders need to embed the new curriculum so that pupils know more and remember more in each subject as they progress through the school.

• Pupils know how to keep themselves safe in school. However, they are less knowledgeable about how to stay safe online. Leaders need to ensure that pupils understand all aspects of safety.

• The attendance of a minority of disadvantaged pupils remains low. These pupils miss valuable learning. Leaders, including governors, need to continue to work with families to ensure that all pupils attend school regularly.