Northdown Primary School, located in Margate, Kent, has undergone significant improvements since its last inspection in 2018. The recent inspection in November 2021 rated the school as good across all areas, including overall effectiveness, quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and early years provision. Pupils describe their experience at the school as fun, happy, and calm, feeling safe and well cared for. They appreciate the school’s values of harmony, curiosity, courage, determination, and aspiration.
Behaviour among pupils is commendable, with a notable improvement over the past year. They understand and follow the school’s rules, and when instances of bullying occur, staff respond promptly to address the issues. Classrooms are described as calm and purposeful, with teachers maintaining high expectations. Pupils who require additional support receive effective assistance from well-trained pastoral staff. During social times, pupils engage in various activities, including using playground equipment and participating in games, demonstrating their ability to transition back to learning quickly and sensibly.
The school has made strides in developing an ambitious curriculum from early years to Year 6, with a logical organization of knowledge that aids teachers in delivering effective lessons. Reading is prioritized, with phonics instruction beginning in early years. Staff conduct regular assessments to monitor pupils’ progress in reading, ensuring that those who fall behind receive appropriate support. As a result, pupils are well-prepared for Year 1 and demonstrate increasing fluency in reading as they progress through the school.
While the overall teaching quality is strong, some subjects, such as history and religious education, show room for improvement. In these areas, teachers' explanations may lack clarity, hindering pupils' deep understanding of key concepts. Leaders are aware of this and are working to enhance staff training to ensure effective delivery across all subjects. The school is also committed to supporting pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities, implementing tailored action plans and closely monitoring their progress.
Attendance has improved since the previous inspection, but persistent absenteeism remains a challenge. Leaders are actively working to encourage regular attendance through communication with families and incentives for pupils. The school offers numerous opportunities for personal development, reintroducing cultural and educational events that were limited during the COVID-19 pandemic. Pupils engage in community activities, such as beach clean-ups, and demonstrate a strong understanding of British values through participation in democratic processes.
Staff express satisfaction with the leadership's consideration of their workload and well-being, valuing the training provided on new curriculum approaches. Governors play an active role in monitoring school improvements, asking relevant questions to ensure accountability. The support from the trust has been beneficial, particularly in enhancing teaching quality in reading and mathematics.
The safeguarding arrangements at Northdown Primary School are effective, with staff receiving comprehensive training and demonstrating a secure understanding of procedures. Leaders take decisive action when concerns arise, ensuring that children receive the necessary support from external agencies when needed.
In summary, Northdown Primary School has made commendable progress since its last inspection, providing a high-quality education in a supportive environment. While there are areas for further development, particularly in subject-specific teaching and attendance, the overall effectiveness of the school is strong, with a clear commitment to continuous improvement and the well-being of its pupils.
