Tenterden Church of England Junior School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 15 October 2024

Pupils are happy and proud to attend this caring community-minded school. They know there is a trusted adult with whom they can share concerns. This helps them to feel safe. Pupils understand the school values of respect, faithfulness, perseverance, and love. The school enhances these through consistently applied rules and routines. As a result, pupils behave well and show resilience when completing their work. Teachers have high expectations and pupils work hard to meet them. They listen intently in lessons and engage in rich debate in class. Pupils work together well and share their ideas excitedly. Pupils' work shows they are well prepared for their next steps. The school has prioritised pupils mental and physical health. As a result, pupils know how to keep fit and healthy. They understand the importance of a balanced diet and regular exercise. All pupils have the opportunity to represent the school in a range of sports and enjoy the wide range of sports clubs the school offers. Pupils also benefit from the school's work with the local emotional well-being service. They speak to a range of professionals and receive additional therapeutic support if they need it. Consequently, pupils share how they feel confidently and seek help when they require it.

What the school should improve

• In some subjects, the curriculum is not designed with the same precision as the best practice in the school. As a result, in these subjects pupils do not deepen the key skills and knowledge that pupils learn as well as they could. The school should identify the precise knowledge and concepts that pupils need to learn and to revisit in all subjects as they follow the curriculum.
• In a small number of wider curriculum subjects, the adaptations staff make for pupils with SEND are not precise enough. As a result, some pupils with SEND do not learn the important knowledge and skills as well they could. The school must ensure that adaptations are matched precisely to pupils' needs to enable them to access the curriculum fully and learn all the important skills and knowledge they need.
• Persistent absence at the school is too high for too many pupils, particularly those who are more disadvantaged. This means that these most vulnerable pupils are missing out on too much of their vital education. The school must continue and intensify their work with parents to ensure that all pupils attend more frequently.

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