Painters Ash Primary School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 28 February 2023

Pupils arrive at school in the morning happy and excited to find out what the day has in store. Pupils rise to the challenges of the school's curriculum and the high expectations leaders set for behaviour. Pupils strive to live by the school's values of respect, community, success, excellence, self-confidence and determination. They enjoy learning and work conscientiously in lessons. Pupils develop a good understanding of different subjects across the curriculum. Pupils are eager to talk about their learning. They particularly enjoy going on trips to enhance their learning. For example, pupils in Year 6 particularly enjoyed their trip to Chislehurst Caves to learn more about life during the Second World War. Pupils are kind and friendly. They are welcoming to newcomers and include them in their conversations and their play. Pupils are well looked after by staff. If pupils are worried about something, or if they fall out with their friends, they put a note in the worry box or talk to their teacher. Pupils feel safe, and the very rare incidents of bullying are quickly sorted out. As one parent said, the staff are 'kind, caring and have the children's best interests at the heart of all they do'.

What the school should improve

• In a few subjects, leaders have not identified precisely enough the crucial knowledge that pupils are expected to remember over time. Furthermore, they have not made it clear enough where important concepts are revisited throughout these subjects. This means that it is harder for teachers to build on pupils' prior learning and deepen their understanding. It also makes it harder for pupils to make links with what they already know. Leaders need to continue their work to review and refine their curriculum, so that the crucial knowledge and important subject concepts are made explicitly clear.

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