Chappel Church of England Controlled Primary School, located in Colchester, Essex, underwent an inspection on November 22 and 23, 2022. The overall effectiveness of the school was rated as inadequate, with specific areas identified for improvement. The quality of education was deemed to require improvement, while behavior and attitudes, as well as personal development, were rated as good. Leadership and management were found to be inadequate, and early years provision also required improvement. This inspection marked a significant decline from the previous inspection in July 2017, where the school was rated as good.
Pupils at Chappel Primary School demonstrate acceptance of differences and a sense of belonging within the school community. They engage enthusiastically in various activities, such as singing in assemblies and participating in forest school explorations. However, while pupils feel comfortable discussing worries with adults, serious concerns are not consistently followed up by school leaders, potentially placing some students at risk. The curriculum offers a broad range of subjects, but there are gaps in learning, leading to underachievement among some pupils. Although a new phonics teaching approach has been introduced, many students are still behind in reading due to the recent implementation of this method.
Pupils exhibit eagerness to learn and generally behave well in lessons, sharing and including one another in play. Instances of bullying are rare and are effectively resolved when they occur. Despite the positive behavior, the inspection highlighted significant shortcomings in safeguarding practices. Leaders have failed to meet statutory safeguarding responsibilities, and there is a lack of a culture prioritizing safeguarding within the school. Concerns raised by staff are not adequately followed up, and the governing body lacks the expertise to hold school leaders accountable for safeguarding issues.
The curriculum is designed to build knowledge over time, but its implementation is inconsistent. Teachers do not always adhere to the planned curriculum, leading to varied learning experiences across different year groups. In early years, children are provided with opportunities to explore subjects through various learning areas, laying a foundation for future learning. However, the support for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities is appropriate, ensuring they can access the same curriculum as their peers.
Recent improvements in phonics instruction have begun to show positive results, with pupils' reading abilities starting to improve. However, there remains a lack of consistency in teaching reading across the school, particularly regarding vocabulary and comprehension skills. Pupils' attitudes towards learning are generally positive, and they value the range of extracurricular activities available, including clubs and sports.
The school provides suitable pastoral support, but the documentation of this support is insufficient, hindering leaders' ability to identify patterns in pupil needs. The governing body has not effectively challenged or supported school leaders, particularly in safeguarding matters, due to a lack of relevant training and expertise.
In summary, Chappel Church of England Controlled Primary School faces significant challenges in leadership, safeguarding, and the consistency of educational delivery. While there are positive aspects, such as pupil behavior and engagement, urgent improvements are needed to ensure the safety and academic success of all students. The school must prioritize effective safeguarding practices, enhance curriculum implementation, and strengthen governance to foster a safe and supportive learning environment.
