Chesterton Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School is recognized as a good school, continuing to provide a positive educational experience for its pupils. The inspection conducted on 7 and 8 March 2023 highlighted the happiness and confidence of the students, who benefit from a variety of sports activities including badminton, athletics, and hockey. The school emphasizes the importance of building self-belief through thoughtful experiences, such as trips to football matches and participation in an equestrian team. The leadership team acknowledges the achievements of all pupils, including those with special educational needs and disabilities, fostering an inclusive environment.
Pupils at Chesterton are not only engaged in sports but also embody the school’s values of hope, compassion, respect, humility, resilience, and integrity. These values are celebrated through assemblies and collective worship, while staff promote independence by encouraging students to try their best, be curious, and persevere. The school maintains a calm and orderly environment where pupils understand the concept of bullying and feel assured that any incidents would be addressed promptly. The school’s vision of creating excellence and valuing every individual is a shared commitment among staff and students.
The leadership team is ambitious for all pupils and has developed a well-structured curriculum that prepares them for future educational stages. Subjects like geography have clearly mapped out key knowledge and vocabulary, allowing teachers to effectively link lessons and support pupils in retaining important information. The school organizes enriching trips, such as visits to the Black Country Living Museum, to enhance learning experiences. In mathematics, staff utilize training effectively, demonstrating confidence in vocabulary and supporting pupils' understanding. However, there are areas for improvement, particularly in providing consistent support for a small number of pupils with special educational needs, ensuring that their individual needs are met more precisely.
Reading is a strong focus at the school, with most pupils progressing well through the phonics scheme introduced in Reception. Staff are skilled in identifying pupils who may fall behind and provide additional support to help them catch up. The school selects engaging texts that connect the curriculum and foster a love of reading among students. Nonetheless, some reading materials do not align with the phonics knowledge pupils have acquired, which can hinder progress for a few students.
Pupils exhibit respectful behavior and engage positively with one another, demonstrating a clear understanding of the school’s rules and systems. They express enthusiasm for the physical education and sports opportunities available, feeling safe and supported by the adults in the school. Responsibilities such as being a School Councillor or Sports Captain allow pupils to learn about democracy and contribute to their school community.
The staff at Chesterton are proud to work at the school, collaborating effectively and supporting one another. Leaders actively engage with staff to address workload and well-being concerns, fostering a positive team ethos. Parents express overwhelming support for the school, appreciating the dedication of the staff and the sense of community that has been cultivated.
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with staff forming close relationships with pupils and being vigilant in identifying any signs of risk. Leaders ensure that staff are well-trained and that safeguarding processes are robust. Overall, while the school excels in many areas, there are opportunities for improvement in matching reading materials to phonics knowledge and enhancing support for pupils with special educational needs.
