Frittenden Church of England Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils enjoy the wide range of activities on offer in this school. For example, they learn how to play the guitar in music lessons and develop problem-solving skills during their time in 'forest school'. Pupils feel safe and happy.

As pupils move through the school, they take part in the life of the school. For example, pupils act as school librarians and care for younger pupils at playtimes as 'buddies'.

However, leaders have not shown enough urgency in making sure that pupils build the mathematical or reading skills needed to succeed.

Pupils achieve well in a number of other areas of the curriculum. Children in the early years have a strong start to their e...ducation in this school. Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) receive beneficial support.

Pupils form very positive relationships in the early years. Older pupils play with younger pupils at playtimes, and this creates a warmth to relationships when at play. Some pupils behave less well in class and when unsupervised.

For example, when pupils move around the school, they can be unkind to one another. If bullying happens, adults talk with pupils to resolve this.

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

Not enough pupils gain the knowledge and skills needed to learn how to read quickly enough.

Leaders have introduced a new phonics scheme. This helps children in the early years to swiftly gain the skills needed to learn how to read simple words. Children use what they have learned when at play to recognise letters and words and enjoy acting out the stories that adults read to them.

However, as pupils move into key stage 1 and beyond, they have too many gaps in their phonics knowledge. Leaders have not shown enough urgency to ensure that pupils who have fallen behind in their reading catch up.

Leaders have not acted swiftly enough on the improvements needed in order for pupils to achieve well in mathematics since the last inspection.

As pupils move through the school, teachers do not provide enough opportunities for pupils to apply their mathematical knowledge. This means that pupils make mistakes in their mathematical thinking. Teachers do not always pick up on these mistakes, and as a result, some pupils can become confused.

However, children in the early years gain the mathematical knowledge needed well. Here, teachers provide a range of opportunities for children to explore number and shape effectively.

In many subjects, leaders provide a well-thought-through curriculum.

Teachers are clear about what is taught and when. Leaders are mindful of the workload teachers face and they support them to manage it. Subject leaders produce helpful guidance that outlines the vocabulary and knowledge needed across a broad range of subjects.

This helps teachers to deliver the curriculum effectively in subjects such as history, science and physical education (PE) where most pupils achieve well. However, teachers do not carefully follow what has been outlined by subject leaders in reading and mathematics. Leaders have not picked up on this swiftly enough.

As a result, some pupils do not learn the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in reading and mathematics.

Staff support pupils with SEND well across a broad range of subjects. Teachers swiftly identify pupils' needs.

Staff guide them in class and use a range of strategies to enable pupils to learn alongside others. Teachers use questioning well to help all pupils to think about what they learn. This helps teachers to check what pupils know.

However, teachers are less clear about what pupils know and remember over time.

Pupils' behaviour in class is not consistently good. In key stage 2, some pupils struggle to behave well in lessons and can refuse to engage with staff.

This means that not all pupils develop the knowledge and skills needed to succeed. Children in the early years focus well in lessons and develop an interest in what they learn. Not enough pupils attend regularly.

Leaders have introduced strategies to strengthen attendance but recognise that there needs to be more urgency in following these through.

Pupils experience a wide range of opportunities that enhance their learning. Teachers encourage pupils to reflect on global issues and think about how these impact on their lives.

Pupils enjoy attending a range of clubs. These include computing, construction, sport, guitar and musical theatre. Pupils with SEND and disadvantaged pupils are actively supported in attending these clubs.

Staff invite speakers to enhance the curriculum. For example, staff from a local museum visited the school to share historical artefacts.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

Staff receive valuable training in keeping pupils safe. This ensures staff swiftly identify when a pupil is at risk of harm. Governors review the procedures in place to ensure staff are clear about the expectations for safeguarding.

Leaders act quickly on concerns that arise and work with families and outside agencies to provide helpful support.

Pupils learn about staying safe online in lessons and through an annual 'safer internet' day. Pupils are confident that they can speak with adults in the school if they have a worry.

Risk assessments are in place for activities undertaken to prevent pupils from being at risk of harm.

What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

• Not enough pupils develop the fluency needed to read well. This means that pupils who have fallen behind struggle to catch up because they do not have the phonics knowledge required to decode unfamiliar words.

Leaders need to ensure that teachers accurately identify pupils who have fallen behind in reading and help them to catch up quickly. ? Pupils do not secure the knowledge and skills needed to reason mathematically. This creates misconceptions in some pupils that limits their understanding.

Leaders and governors need to act swiftly to ensure teachers implement the mathematics curriculum consistently so that pupils gain the knowledge and skills needed to succeed. ? Some pupils' behaviour in class and when unsupervised around the school is not good enough. Leaders need to ensure all staff have high expectations for the behaviour of pupils and enable pupils to regulate their own behaviour in class and around the school.

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