Archbishop Courtenay Primary School, located in Tovil, Maidstone, Kent, underwent an inspection on June 6 and 7, 2023, and received an overall effectiveness rating of good. The school has made significant progress since its previous inspection, which rated it as requiring improvement. The quality of education, behavior and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and early years provision were all rated as good.
Pupils at Archbishop Courtenay Primary School take pride in their caring and inclusive community. They appreciate the nurturing approach of the school leaders, which fosters mutual respect and a sense of belonging. The school encourages friendship and collaboration among students, with older pupils helping new arrivals to integrate quickly into the school community. This supportive environment contributes to pupils feeling empowered to assist one another, resulting in a happy, kind, and considerate atmosphere. Instances of bullying are rare, and when they do occur, school leaders respond promptly to resolve the issues.
The school’s values of compassion, aspiration, friendship, resilience, and respect are effectively instilled in pupils, motivating them to uphold these principles. Pupils are recognized for their efforts through an achievement tree, which reinforces positive behavior and attitudes. The calm and orderly environment established from the early years allows pupils to concentrate and learn effectively. Relationships between staff and pupils are warm and positive, fostering a sense of safety and trust among students.
Parents express appreciation for the purposeful and caring approach of the school leaders. They recognize the passion and commitment that create a nurturing environment for their children. The school leaders are ambitious for all pupils to achieve well and have successfully developed strong subject knowledge among middle leaders, leading to improved curriculum thinking. Effective teaching approaches are being embedded, allowing staff to explain new knowledge clearly and address misconceptions through thoughtful questioning.
However, there are areas for improvement. In some foundation subjects, end-of-topic reviews do not adequately identify gaps in pupils’ knowledge, which can hinder teachers from understanding what needs to be revisited. This lack of clarity can affect the effectiveness of teaching in those subjects. Additionally, while the school has made strides in supporting pupils with special educational needs and disabilities, there is still room for growth in ensuring that all pupils receive the necessary support to succeed.
Reading is a notable strength of the school, with pupils expressing enjoyment and confidence in discussing their favorite stories. The school employs a robust phonics teaching approach, ensuring that all children become confident and fluent readers. Teachers maintain high expectations, which is reflected in pupils’ focused and respectful behavior during lessons. Established routines from early years support pupils in settling to work quickly and enthusiastically.
Despite the positive aspects, the school faces challenges with attendance. Not all pupils attend regularly, which can impact their learning. Leaders have implemented various strategies to improve attendance, but these efforts have not yet achieved the desired results for all students, particularly those who are persistently absent. There is a recognition among leaders and the multi-academy trust of the need to intensify efforts in this area.
The school offers a broad range of extracurricular opportunities that promote personal development. Leaders prioritize character development, equipping pupils with essential skills and fostering an understanding of the world around them. Pupils are encouraged to suggest and plan initiatives, such as cultural events, which enhance their leadership skills.
The leadership team is committed and hardworking, with a clear vision that inspires staff. Professional development is valued, and measures are in place to manage workload effectively. However, there is a need for a more strategic approach to enable middle leaders to monitor and evaluate their curriculums effectively, ensuring they respond to pupils’ needs.
The safeguarding arrangements at the school are effective, with high-quality training provided to staff to recognize and address safeguarding risks. The designated safeguarding leads are proactive in reporting concerns and ensuring that pupils receive the necessary support. Governors fulfill their statutory duties and maintain oversight of safeguarding effectiveness.
In summary, Archbishop Courtenay Primary School has made commendable progress since its last inspection, demonstrating a commitment to providing a supportive and effective learning environment. While there are areas for improvement, particularly in attendance and curriculum monitoring, the school’s strengths in fostering a positive community and promoting reading are noteworthy. The leadership team’s dedication to continuous improvement positions the school well for future success.
