Kingsland CofE School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 17 January 2023

'Let your light shine' is the deeply Christian vision that underpins the strong ethos and ambition set by leaders and staff. Pupils work hard, treat others with respect and broaden their skills and talents through the many opportunities offered. As a result, they flourish socially and emotionally, and also do well academically. All pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) and those who are disadvantaged, achieve at a high level in reading, writing and mathematics. However, their achievement and knowledge in other subjects are less well developed. This is because leaders have not identified the key knowledge and skills they want pupils to learn precisely enough, including in the early years. Pupils' conduct around school and their attitudes to learning are excellent. They know the importance of treating everyone equally and understand why discrimination is wrong. Pupils feel safe. They understand the difference between isolated incidents and bullying. If bullying happens, leaders are quick to deal with it. The school has achieved several prestigious awards in different subjects. These include the International School Award, a local music award and the School Games Platinum Award. Leaders are committed to offering a rich and diverse education beyond the classroom.

What the school should improve

• Leaders have not identified the key knowledge, skills and subject vocabulary they want pupils to learn and remember in some foundation subjects and some areas of learning in the early years curriculum. This means that some content is not sequenced as well as it could be, and learning does not build progressively as pupils move through the school. Leaders should identify the essential knowledge, skills and vocabulary that children need to know in these subjects so pupils can achieve as well as they do in English and mathematics.
• Senior leaders carry out regular checks on how well the English and mathematics curriculums are delivered and on how well pupils master the skills and knowledge needed to be successful. However, these checks are not carried out as effectively in the foundation subjects. Senior leaders should ensure that subject leaders have sufficient opportunity, and the skills needed, to check the quality of curriculum delivery, and its impact on pupils' learning, in their own subject areas.

Read the full Ofsted report (opens in a new tab)