Crockham Hill Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School in Kent has been recognized as a good school following its inspection on April 26, 2023. The school is characterized by a positive and engaging learning environment where pupils thrive and embody the core values of respect, empathy, resilience, and aspiration. Parents express satisfaction with the school, highlighting the strong relationships among pupils across different year groups. The leadership team, including the headteacher, has high expectations for pupil achievement and ensures that teaching encourages deep thinking and high-quality work across various subjects.
The school maintains a strong focus on behavior management, with staff setting clear expectations for appropriate conduct. Pupils respond positively, contributing to a safe and supportive atmosphere. The school effectively addresses bullying, which further enhances the sense of security among students. An extensive program is in place to support pupils' personal development, with opportunities for extracurricular activities and learning about diversity through partnerships with communities in London and Tanzania.
The curriculum has been strengthened under the headteacher's leadership, with a broad and balanced approach that meets the needs of all pupils. Subject leaders ensure that language and vocabulary development are integrated across the curriculum, starting from the early years. However, there is a need for improvement in helping pupils connect their current learning with prior knowledge, as some students struggle to make these links.
Teachers are skilled in identifying the needs of pupils with special educational needs and disabilities, providing tailored support to ensure their inclusion in the learning process. Nevertheless, there are instances where assessments of pupils' learning do not effectively challenge them, leading to missed opportunities for progress. The school emphasizes reading from the beginning of Reception, with a consistent approach to teaching phonics that enables pupils to develop their reading skills effectively.
The behavior policy is consistently applied, creating a calm classroom environment conducive to learning. Pupils collaborate well, enhancing their learning experience. The personal development of pupils is prioritized, with various clubs and trips enriching the curriculum. Parents appreciate the well-rounded education their children receive, which extends beyond academics.
Staff feel supported by the leadership team, which actively engages with them to address workload concerns. The safeguarding arrangements at the school are robust, with a strong culture of safety and regular training for staff. Leaders ensure that all staff are equipped to identify and respond to safeguarding concerns promptly, providing necessary support to pupils and their families.
While the school demonstrates many strengths, there are areas for improvement. Teachers need to enhance their assessment practices to ensure that work is appropriately challenging for all pupils. Additionally, there should be a systematic approach to revisiting and building on prior learning to aid pupils in making connections with new concepts. Overall, Crockham Hill Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School continues to provide a supportive and effective educational environment for its pupils, fostering both academic and personal growth.
