St Margaret’s, Collier Street Church of England Voluntary Controlled School, located in Marden, Tonbridge, Kent, has been recognized as a good school following its inspection on May 4, 2022. The school provides a welcoming and supportive environment for its pupils, fostering kindness and respect among students. High expectations from staff encourage older pupils to support their younger peers, contributing to a safe atmosphere where students feel comfortable seeking help with any issues they may face. The leadership effectively addresses incidents of bullying, ensuring a positive school culture.
Pupils appreciate the opportunities available for personal development and are enthusiastic about engaging in various activities, such as starting a school band, fundraising for charity, and establishing connections with a school in Malawi. They express enjoyment in their lessons and demonstrate an understanding of the school’s Christian values, emphasizing the importance of tolerance and respect. Students recognize the diversity of the world and are eager to learn about different cultures and religions.
The school excels in providing a broad and balanced curriculum, with a strong emphasis on reading. Leaders prioritize reading as a key component of the curriculum, promoting a love for literature among pupils. Regular reading sessions and well-resourced book corners enhance students' engagement with reading. Staff are well-trained in phonics instruction, ensuring that children receive the necessary support to develop their reading skills from the start of Reception. This focus on reading contributes to a solid foundation for pupils' academic success.
In mathematics, teachers demonstrate secure subject knowledge, allowing pupils to build on their existing knowledge through well-planned lesson sequences. The school also ensures that pupils with special educational needs and disabilities receive appropriate support to facilitate their learning. Clear curriculum planning is evident across all subjects, with teachers effectively checking pupils' understanding and retention of key concepts.
While the early years curriculum supports children's development in reading and communication, there are areas where clarity is lacking, leading to inconsistencies in learning experiences. Leaders are aware of the need to enhance the early years curriculum to ensure that staff have a clear understanding of the knowledge and skills to be taught.
The school is committed to supporting pupils with special educational needs, although the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has affected communication with families. Leaders are actively working to strengthen these connections. While pupils with special educational needs receive adequate support in reading and mathematics, further efforts are needed to adapt the curriculum for these pupils across all subjects.
St Margaret’s offers a variety of extracurricular activities, including sports clubs and opportunities for creative expression through cooking, singing, and performing. The staff's determination to resume these activities post-pandemic reflects their commitment to providing a well-rounded educational experience.
The school is effectively led and managed, with governors prioritizing resources to mitigate the pandemic's impact on the school community. A strong culture of support among staff contributes to a positive working environment, with leaders considering staff well-being and workload.
Safeguarding measures are robust, with staff trained to ensure pupil safety. The curriculum includes lessons on online safety, equipping pupils with the knowledge to protect themselves in the digital world. Overall, St Margaret’s, Collier Street Church of England Voluntary Controlled School continues to provide a good education, with areas identified for improvement, particularly in the early years curriculum and support for pupils with special educational needs across all subjects.
