Kingham Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils are thriving in this vibrant school. They are immensely proud to be members of the school community. Following their superb start in early years, most pupils achieve well across the school.

They live up to the school's high expectations. Pupils work hard, enjoy school and know that a good education is pivotal to their future success. This is reflected in their excellent behaviour and attitudes to learning.

Pupils' personal development is exceptional. The school's values are at the heart of this. Pupils understand why these are important.

They know that values such as kindness, tolerance and honesty help them to develop a strong moral code. As one pupil... commented, 'These are the key principles to lead your life by.'

Pupils benefit greatly from the school's extensive enrichment opportunities.

From music-making and Shakespeare performances to sporting tournaments and gardening, the list is endless. All pupils are encouraged to 'shine' and celebrate their wide-ranging accomplishments.

Pupils make a tangible, positive contribution to school life by taking on one of the many leadership roles.

Older pupils are mature and responsible role models for others. They love helping and caring for younger pupils by being a special 'buddy'.

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

Leaders, staff and governors are right to be proud of the school's many strengths.

The school's ambitious and well-considered curriculum fulfils leaders' aspiration to inspire pupils to learn and achieve their best. Achievement at the end of key stage 2 is very high, as shown by the school's published outcomes. Most current pupils are achieving well and many older pupils continue to achieve exceptionally well.

However, the same exceptional achievement is not evident across the breadth of the school.

Children in early years get off to an excellent start to their education. Teaching here is characterised by high-quality interactions and engaging learning activities.

From children's first days in Nursery, staff skilfully develop their communication and language skills. Staff's perceptive observations mean that any additional needs are readily identified and support is quickly put in place. Children demonstrate high levels of concentration and resilience in their chosen activities.

They are busy, curious and engaged learners, making the most of everything on offer in this stimulating environment.

In recent years, the school has taken effective action to improve the reading curriculum. Throughout the school, there are many opportunities for pupils to read and enjoy good-quality texts.

The phonics programme is well structured and, overall, taught well. However, the support and guidance for pupils in key stage 1 who have fallen behind the school's reading programme is not consistently effective. This risks these pupils falling further behind.

Inconsistency in this aspect of the school's work is also reflected in some pupils' weak handwriting, particularly pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)

There are many strengths in teaching. Staff plan interesting activities that engage pupils and promote learning. They regularly check pupils' understanding and recall of important knowledge.

When needed, staff make sensible adaptations so that pupils with SEND can access the curriculum.

Pupils demonstrate a thirst for learning which is reflected in their exemplary behaviour. Well-considered plans support the few pupils who need help to regulate their emotions.

The school deals appropriately with any behaviour incidents, which happen infrequently. However, record-keeping for behaviour and some other aspects of the school's work is not sufficiently robust. This limits leaders' ability to form a clear, strategic view and identify any trends or patterns.

The school makes sure that pupils are very well prepared for life in modern Britain. Pupils visit different places of worship and learn about other faiths and customs. They understand the importance of equality and that prejudicial behaviour is never acceptable.

Elections and voting about decisions within the student council help pupils to understand democratic processes. Pupils like to help others in the wider community by fundraising to support their chosen charities.

Governors understand and fulfil their responsibilities well.

They have appropriate processes in place to enable them to have a good understanding of the school. They make sure that key aspects of the school, such as safeguarding, are kept under review.

The very hard-working staff enthuse about working here.

They value leaders' consideration for their well-being. Staff appreciate the professional guidance they receive, including opportunities to enhance their subject knowledge. Parents are full of praise for the school and the quality of education and care their children receive.

One parent, typical of many, commented, 'My children have flourished at Kingham, and we could not be happier with the school.'

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

• There is inconsistency in the quality of support for pupils in key stage 1 who have fallen behind the school's reading programme.

The support and guidance for these pupils is not always as effective as it needs to be. This risks pupils falling further behind in reading, as well as writing. The school needs to iron out any inconsistencies and strengthen the support for these pupils to enable them to catch up quickly.

• The school's record-keeping and strategic analysis of some important aspects of its work are not sufficiently robust or precise enough. This limits the school's work to identify and address any patterns or trends over time to inform their decision-making. The school needs to strengthen this aspect of strategic leadership.