Church Langley Community Primary School in Harlow, Essex, has been recognized as a good school following its inspection on January 24 and 25, 2024. The school fosters a friendly and welcoming environment where pupils take pride in their learning and enjoy engaging with visitors about their work. The positive relationships between teachers and students contribute to a calm and interesting atmosphere conducive to learning. Pupils understand and apply the school's golden rules, resulting in good behavior and a safe, happy environment.
Overall, pupils achieve well, including those with special educational needs and disabilities. However, there is a noted discrepancy in progress, particularly in writing, where students do not advance as much as they do in reading and mathematics. The school encourages older pupils to support younger ones through roles such as play leaders and reading ambassadors, promoting a sense of community and responsibility. Enrichment activities, including trips to the National Gallery and visits from the Royal Opera House, enhance the learning experience. The school offers a variety of after-school clubs, with particular pride in the achievements of the girls' sports club.
The curriculum is ambitious, well-planned, and regularly reviewed to meet the needs of pupils from early years to Year 6. While the revised curriculum is effective overall, some subjects are still developing, and new subject leaders are working to assess the impact of recent changes. Occasionally, activities may not align perfectly with intended learning outcomes, which can hinder pupil progress. Reading is emphasized throughout the curriculum, with younger children enjoying phonics activities that build their confidence in reading unfamiliar words. Older pupils who struggle with reading receive support to catch up quickly, and the school promotes a love of reading through initiatives led by pupil ambassadors.
Despite strong progress in reading and mathematics, writing remains an area for improvement. Leaders are implementing strategies to enhance writing instruction across the curriculum, focusing on spelling and vocabulary. While early signs of improvement are evident, these strategies are still in the initial stages of implementation. In most subjects, pupils articulate how new learning builds on their existing knowledge, and teachers regularly check for understanding to address any misconceptions promptly.
Pupils in the early years quickly adapt to routines, learning to share and take turns. The school emphasizes safety and encourages children to speak out if something feels wrong. Attendance continues to improve due to close collaboration with families. The school promotes pupils' wider development, instilling principles of democracy and respect for others. The school council actively represents student views, leading to initiatives like multicultural week and new after-school clubs.
Staff feel valued and listened to, appreciating the leadership's open-door policy and attention to well-being. Governors fulfill their responsibilities and work alongside school leaders to ensure ongoing success and improve communication with parents. Safeguarding arrangements are effective, ensuring a safe environment for all pupils.
To enhance its performance, the school must expedite the implementation of writing curriculum changes and support new leaders in evaluating their subjects effectively. By addressing these areas, the school can ensure that all pupils achieve consistently well across all subjects. This inspection marks the second ungraded inspection since the school was last judged to be good in May 2018, reflecting its commitment to maintaining high standards in education.
