Churcham Primary School, located in Gloucester, has received a positive inspection report, highlighting its overall effectiveness as good. The school embodies a vision of learning, respect, and growth, fostering a strong sense of community among pupils. The large oak tree in the playground serves as a symbol of this growth, representing the students' journey through their time at the school. Pupils demonstrate pride in their work and are eager to showcase their learning, reflecting the high expectations set by the staff.
The school offers a variety of extracurricular activities, including winter sports clubs, STEM workshops, and music lessons, which contribute to a well-rounded education. Year 6 students participate in a residential visit that helps them build confidence and expand their social circles before transitioning to secondary school. Cultural awareness is promoted through events like Jamaica Day, and pupils actively engage in charitable initiatives, choosing causes to support, including a local donkey sanctuary. The school also emphasizes sustainability, integrating literature that encourages environmental stewardship.
Churcham Primary School is ambitious for its pupils, with leaders committed to ensuring all students succeed. Reading is prioritized, with phonics instruction starting as soon as children enter the school. Staff are well-trained in phonics, and assessments are conducted to identify and address knowledge gaps promptly. This focus has resulted in strong achievements in phonics, with reading materials carefully matched to pupils' knowledge. The school promotes a love of reading through themed author days and library visits, fostering confidence and enthusiasm for literature.
The curriculum is designed with clear end goals in mind, and teaching is focused on essential knowledge. Assessments effectively review pupils' learning, allowing them to retain information and make connections across subjects. However, in a few areas, the curriculum lacks sufficient precision, leading to challenges in pupils articulating what they have learned. The school is proactive in identifying and supporting students with special educational needs and disabilities, providing targeted training for staff and setting precise learning goals.
Monitoring of the curriculum is in place, positively impacting subjects like early reading. Leaders assess how well pupils are learning and support staff in developing their subject knowledge. This collaborative approach enhances teaching quality and student learning. In early years, children exhibit confidence and familiarity with classroom routines, benefiting from strong staff relationships and enriching experiences that stimulate their learning.
The school's focus on behavior and personal development is commendable, with pupils learning to support one another and celebrate diversity. Attendance initiatives have successfully reduced persistent absenteeism, as students are motivated to participate in the engaging experiences offered at school. The alignment between leaders and governors in their vision for the school is evident, with effective accountability measures in place. Parents express high levels of satisfaction, describing their children as happy and thriving.
Safeguarding arrangements are effective, ensuring a safe environment for all pupils. To further improve, the school should refine the identification of key knowledge in some curriculum areas and enhance monitoring processes to ensure consistent progress across all subjects. Overall, Churcham Primary School demonstrates a strong commitment to providing a quality education and fostering a supportive community for its pupils.
