Longfleet Church of England Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school. The great majority of pupils, including disabled pupils and those with special educational needs, make good progress from their starting points, especially in reading. Increasing numbers of pupils attain at a level above the national average by the time they leave school at the end of Year 7.

Teaching is good. Teachers make good use of pupils' eagerness to learn. Teachers have particularly high expectations of pupils in English and they encourage pupils to learn actively and work independently in lessons.

The headteacher, senior leadership team and governors have high expectations. They check the quality of teaching and learning rigorous...ly and have improved the school in all major respects since the previous inspection. Pupils behave very well in lessons and around the school.

They enjoy school and feel very safe and well cared for. Parents are very positive about all aspects of the school and are almost unanimous in recommending the school to others. It is not yet an outstanding school because : There is not enough outstanding teaching to ensure that every pupil makes the best possible progress.

Occasionally teachers do not have high enough expectations of what able pupils in particular can achieve. The quality of teaching in mathematics is not as consistent as it could be. There are some inconsistencies in the quality of feedback to pupils, including the marking of work.

Progress in boys' writing is slower than in other skills, and opportunities are missed to develop writing skills in some subjects.

Information about this school

The school is larger than the average-sized school of this type. The proportions of pupils from ethnic minority backgrounds or who speak English as an additional language are below average.

The proportion of pupils known to be eligible for extra funding through the pupil premium, including pupils known to be eligible for free school meals, pupils from service families and pupils in care, is below average. The proportion of pupils supported at school action is above average. The proportion of pupils supported at school action plus or with a statement of special educational needs is below average.

The school meets the current floor standards, which set the government's minimum expectations for attainment and progress. The school makes provision for the Early Years Foundation Stage in three Reception classes. There have been several changes in the teaching staff, a new headteacher and a complete restructuring of the senior leadership team since the previous inspection.

The school operates a breakfast club for pupils before the beginning of the school day. The school roll has continued to rise since the previous inspection. In September 2013, as part of the restructuring of education within the local authority, the school will become a primary school, losing its Year 7 pupils.