Kemsing Primary School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 19 July 2022

Pupils are very happy. They feel safe. They say that their school feels like a family and their teachers really care. Pupils feel that school staff work hard to make their learning fun. Forest school is a highlight for many pupils. They enjoy being outdoors, particularly following the COVID-19 pandemic. Staff have high expectations for pupils' behaviour. Children in Reception quickly learn the routines of the school day. They show high levels of interest and engagement in learning. As they move into Year 1 and beyond, pupils continue to demonstrate consistently positive attitudes. Expectations for what all pupils can achieve in their learning are continuing to grow under the headteacher's leadership. Pupils take great pride in carrying out the range of pupil roles on offer, including reading buddies, school council, peer mediators and house captains. House captains take an active role in championing and rewarding the school values of kindness, creativity, teamwork, determination, trust and positivity. Pupils, parents and carers alike appreciate the wide range of sporting opportunities and clubs on offer to pupils. Parents describe the new headteacher as a breath of fresh air for the school. They feel that under his leadership, a new lease of life has been injected into the school. Some parents feel that prior to his arrival, the curriculum had become somewhat stagnant.

What the school should improve

• The curriculum in some foundation subjects is not sufficiently ambitious; nor does it match the breadth and scope of the national curriculum. As a result of the way leaders have designed the curriculum in these subjects, pupils do not develop a broad and connected body of knowledge. Senior leaders are aware of this and are in the process of redesigning the curriculum in these subjects. For this reason, the transition arrangements have been applied.
• Historically, the school has not had an inclusive ethos. Over time, staff have not been supported to develop the expertise required to consistently understand and meet the needs of pupils with SEND. Pupils with SEND have not always felt valued or welcome within the school community. Pupils with SEND and their parents have not always been fully included as participants in decision-making. The headteacher and governors are determined to address this, but know that at present, not all pupils with SEND are getting the support they need to work with increasing independence in lessons to learn the school's intended curriculum and achieve the best possible outcomes. Since his appointment in September 2021, the headteacher has, with the support of the local authority, already begun to address this. There is a clear action plan in place and further training for all staff is planned for September 2022. For this reason, the transition arrangements have been applied.

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