Kingshill Church School, located in Nailsea, Somerset, continues to be recognized as a good school following its recent inspection on March 14, 2024. Under the leadership of headteacher Lisa Harvey, the school is part of the Bath and Wells Multi Academy Trust, which provides additional oversight and support. The trust is led by CEO Nikki Edwards and a board of trustees chaired by Oliver Cofler.
The school environment is characterized by happy and safe pupils who are encouraged to be ready, respectful, and safe. Positive relationships between adults and pupils are evident, with staff knowing the students well. The school has implemented a 'worry box' system, allowing pupils to express their concerns confidentially. Attendance is supported through strong family engagement, ensuring that pupils feel valued and welcomed, especially those who join mid-year.
Kingshill Church School sets high expectations for its pupils, starting from Reception Year, where children quickly adapt to class routines. Pupils demonstrate eagerness to participate in lessons and exhibit positive attitudes towards learning. The school effectively supports pupils with special educational needs and disabilities, ensuring they can access the curriculum alongside their peers. Behaviour management strategies are effective, allowing for a conducive learning environment.
The school has made significant strides in curriculum design, addressing previous weaknesses. The leadership team has worked diligently to clarify what pupils should know and remember, leading to improved outcomes. Reading is prioritized, with a strong phonics curriculum in place. From the outset, pupils are taught to read using books that align with their phonetic knowledge. Early identification of pupils at risk of falling behind ensures timely support, enabling them to catch up quickly. The focus on reading extends to older pupils, who develop comprehension skills and engage with diverse texts.
While the curriculum design is robust in many areas, some subjects, particularly in the wider curriculum, require further embedding. For instance, pupils struggle to retain knowledge in geography, specifically regarding the United Kingdom and its capitals. This gap hinders their ability to build on prior knowledge effectively.
The school has fostered a positive learning environment, with improved behaviour noted by both staff and pupils. The new behaviour system has clarified expectations, resulting in a significant reduction in recorded incidents of poor behaviour. Pupils engage well during lessons and social times, demonstrating cooperative play across age groups.
The personal, social, and health education curriculum supports pupils in understanding healthy relationships and online safety. Pupils learn about the importance of honesty and trust in friendships, while the computing curriculum addresses the risks associated with social media. The school promotes physical and mental well-being, with opportunities for reflection and calmness integrated into PSHE lessons.
Safeguarding measures are effective, ensuring a safe environment for all pupils. The school is committed to continuous improvement, with the trust encouraged to identify and address gaps in the curriculum to enhance pupils' knowledge retention across all subjects. Overall, Kingshill Church School exemplifies a supportive and ambitious educational setting, dedicated to the holistic development of its pupils.
