Lower Halstow Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils are positive and enthusiastic about attending this school. The school is an active part of its local community.

Pupils from all backgrounds feel equally welcomed and cherished in the caring atmosphere. They feel happy and are polite. Pupils greet staff, visitors and each other with joy and interest.

They consistently demonstrate good manners, for example by holding open doors and being respectful in how they speak.

The kindness pupils show comes from consistent expectations from staff. Adults across the school show pupils of all ages how to behave and interact with one another.

This starts with children in the Reception Year who are taught rou...tines and conversational language. This prepares them well for the rest of their school lives. Pupils know how to keep themselves safe in the school's rural setting.

The school's high expectations extend to an ambitious curriculum. Pupils love learning and rise to meet the challenge the school provides. Pupils are confident and articulate.

They explain some complex concepts, such as plate tectonics in geography lessons, with confidence and clarity. Pupils' books show a breadth and depth to their learning that reflect the ambition of the curriculum. As a result, pupils achieve well.

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

Pupils receive a broad and balanced curriculum. They relish the learning opportunities they are provided with. Pupils are proud of their achievements.

The school has high ambition for all pupils, including those considered disadvantaged. In most subjects, it has carefully chosen what it wants pupils to know and remember.

Staff carefully consider how to build pupils' learning over time.

In the Reception class, children's learning shows they are being successfully prepared for Year 1 and beyond. Across the school, pupils focus their attention on different tasks well. Pupils' books show they have opportunities to apply and practise their knowledge effectively.

However, in a few curriculum subjects, staff do not rigorously check what pupils understand. Consequently, some pupils do not remember and apply their learning well enough.

The school swiftly identifies if pupils have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).

Pupils with SEND are well cared for and achieve as well as their peers. Overall, pupils achieve well, and by the end of key stage 2, published results match the national average in English and mathematics.

Pupils and staff share the belief that reading is the heart of all learning.

Staff have a sense of urgency when teaching pupils to read. The school has a consistently effective approach for ensuring pupils learn the letters and the sounds they make. Children in Reception learn phonics from their earliest days in school.

Any children joining the school requiring extra help to catch up receive effective support. Pupils become fluent and accurate readers. They love reading.

Pupils relish being exposed to different books and stories. They are particularly proud of their library. They enjoy the books from diverse cultures and those with characters from different backgrounds.

The school's work on attendance is exceptionally effective. Its excellent work with the communities represented in the school has dramatically improved attendance. The school's meticulous checks and support for pupils and their families have a deeply positive impact.

This means pupils attend well, and parents and carers are supportive of the school's efforts.

Pupils consistently act with respect and kindness. They are impeccably polite to adults and each other.

Children in the Reception class are explicitly taught the language to resolve problems and express themselves. As a result, learning across the school is rarely disrupted and playtimes are positive and safe.

Pupils learn to be well-rounded modern citizens.

They have a clear understanding of how to treat others. Their understanding of difference is well developed and consistently applied. Pupils with SEND take part in all the experiences and clubs and feel a sense of equity and welcome.

The school provides a wide range of opportuities for pupils to expand their talents and interests. Pupils relish the chances to engage in competitive sports and musical performances.

Governors are effective and methodical in their approach.

They offer appropriate support and challenge to the school. The school collaborates well with parents and external agencies. Its work to support families puts the school at the heart of its local community.

Staff, including those at the start of their career, feel valued and listened to. They see their work as fulfilling.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

• In some subjects, the school has not clearly defined what pupils should learn and how this is checked. In these subjects, pupils do not learn key knowledge as well as they could. The school should identify what it wants pupils to learn and remember in these subjects and make checks on this learning to inform future teaching.

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