Colne Christ Church Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School has been recognized as a good school following its inspection on 28 and 29 March 2023. The school fosters a welcoming environment where pupils feel part of a friendly community. Students express appreciation for the strong friendships they build, contributing to their happiness at school. The high expectations set by leaders and staff motivate pupils to work diligently towards achieving academic success and personal growth. Most students, including those with special educational needs and disabilities, perform well across various subjects.
The school maintains a consistent behavior policy, leading to positive behavior among pupils. They are respectful and polite to both staff and peers, fostering a safe atmosphere where students feel comfortable voicing concerns. The school has effective systems in place to address bullying, ensuring that any incidents are dealt with promptly and effectively. Pupils engage in various activities that enhance their understanding of their roles in society, participating in fundraising events for local and international charities.
Leaders have developed an ambitious curriculum that caters to all pupils, including those with special educational needs. The curriculum is designed to ensure that students acquire essential knowledge in a structured manner. However, some subjects have recently undergone revisions, and as a result of previous weaker curriculums, certain pupils have gaps in their knowledge, which affects their overall achievement in those areas.
Teachers receive ongoing training to enhance their subject knowledge, enabling them to teach effectively across different subjects. In most areas, they assess pupils' understanding and provide opportunities for revisiting prior learning. The focus on vocabulary development across all subjects helps pupils build a comprehensive knowledge base. While the majority of pupils achieve well, there are instances where some teachers do not adequately check pupils' understanding before introducing new concepts, leading to difficulties in comprehension for some students.
The school places significant emphasis on phonics education for early years and key stage one pupils. Staff are well-trained to deliver the phonics program effectively, and they provide additional support to those who need it, ensuring that all pupils keep pace with their peers. By the end of key stage one, many pupils are confident readers, and those in key stage two are encouraged to read widely across various high-quality texts.
The school has robust systems for identifying the needs of pupils with special educational needs, and staff receive specialized training to adapt their teaching accordingly. This ensures that these pupils have access to the same curriculum as their peers and generally achieve well. In the Reception Year, children demonstrate cooperation and consideration for one another, following instructions and showing eagerness to learn.
Pupils are well-prepared for life beyond the classroom, understanding the importance of treating everyone with respect, regardless of differences. They have opportunities to explore their interests through various clubs and activities. The governing body effectively supports and challenges school leaders, considering staff workload and well-being in decision-making processes. Staff express high levels of satisfaction with their work environment and the support they receive.
The safeguarding arrangements at the school are effective, with leaders and staff vigilant in identifying potential issues. Regular training equips them to respond promptly to safeguarding concerns, and pupils are educated on online safety and other essential safety topics. Overall, while the school excels in many areas, there are opportunities for improvement, particularly in addressing knowledge gaps and ensuring consistent assessment practices across all subjects.
