Ofsted conducted a short inspection of Swell Church of England Primary School on 28 February 2017, following its previous judgment of good in September 2011. The inspection confirmed that the school continues to maintain a good quality of education. The leadership team, under the new executive headteacher, Miss Alexandra Symondson, has effectively identified priorities for improvement and is working collaboratively with staff and governors to raise expectations for pupil achievement. The positive impact of these changes is recognized by pupils, staff, and parents alike.
The school fosters a welcoming and inclusive culture, where pupils are eager to learn and succeed. The leadership team holds teachers accountable for their performance, which has led to significant improvements in teaching quality. Teachers are receiving targeted support and professional development, resulting in good teaching practices that prepare pupils to meet and exceed national expectations in assessments.
Since the last inspection, the school has federated with two other local primary schools, enhancing leadership capacity and utilizing a broader pool of talent. The appointment of a new senior teacher has further strengthened teaching and learning. Governors are actively involved in the school’s progress, providing robust challenge and ensuring accountability through their training and understanding of school performance data.
Despite the overall positive findings, the inspection identified key challenges that remain, particularly in raising standards in writing and mathematics at the end of key stage 1, as well as improving outcomes in early years and phonics. The school did not meet national standards in these areas in 2016, which are now targeted for improvement.
Safeguarding practices at the school are effective, with a strong focus on child protection. The governing body conducted an internal safeguarding audit, leading to improvements in record-keeping and the visibility of safeguarding officers. Pupils demonstrate a clear understanding of how to stay safe, including online safety, and staff are well-trained in child protection.
The inspection focused on several key areas, including the quality of teaching and pupil progress in mathematics and phonics. While small cohort sizes make comparisons challenging, evidence shows that pupils are making rapid progress, particularly in mathematics, with increased expectations leading to improved outcomes. The teaching of phonics has also seen enhancements, with pupils engaging in regular sessions that meet age-related expectations.
In early years, targeted support has improved teaching quality, although writing remains an area for further development. The leadership team recognizes the need for more effective integration of writing into daily activities, particularly for boys. The inspection also evaluated the effectiveness of leadership, noting that the federation has increased capacity and accountability among staff.
Next steps for the school include continuing to raise standards in writing and mathematics, ensuring pupils meet phonics screening expectations, and better preparing children in early years for key stage 1. The leadership team is committed to addressing these challenges while maintaining the positive trajectory of the school’s development.
