Layer-de-la-Haye Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 8 February 2023

Pupils say that everyone is welcome at their school. Pupils speak exuberantly about how much they love their school and their learning. They value how caring and kind the staff and pupils are. They feel that they are part of 'the best community' that looks out for each one of them. Pupils enjoy their learning. They learn and achieve well. They value the trips and visits that enhance their understanding, such as the trip to The Imperial War Museum when they studied the Second World War last term. Some year groups have had fewer trips and visits and would welcome some more opportunities. Many pupils take part in the extra- curricular clubs on offer. Pupils get lots of opportunities to take on positions of responsibility. Year 6 'buddies' enjoy their opportunities to read with their 'buddy' from the Reception class. Play and inclusion leaders look out for anyone who has not got someone to play with at breaktimes and lunchtimes. Pupils behave well. Where a small number of pupils, sometimes with complex needs, need help to regulate their behaviour, they are incredibly well supported by staff and other pupils. Some pupils say there is no bullying at all. Others say there is some, but adults deal with it really well. Pupils are safe and feel safe.

What the school should improve

• Governance arrangements are not securing consistent high-quality checks on some areas of the school's work. Governors rely on the information provided by the headteacher. The local authority, the diocese and leaders need to work collectively to recruit, train and establish more secure governance arrangements over some areas of the school's work.
• In some subjects, staff do not check well enough to ensure that pupils are learning the specific content and knowledge intended. Leadership monitoring is less well developed in these subjects. Consequently, pupils do not develop the rich understanding that leaders expect. This is especially the case for some pupils with SEND. Subject leaders must ensure that staff check what pupils know and can do, and adapt their teaching as required to ensure that pupils are learning the intended content as well as they should.

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