Castle Hill Primary School, located in Chessington, Surrey, has been evaluated as a good school following its inspection in June 2019. The leadership and management of the school are deemed effective, with leaders taking decisive actions to address previous performance dips. They have implemented targeted interventions and prioritized staff development, ensuring that nearly all pupils are making good progress across various subjects. The school improvement plan is based on accurate self-evaluation, allowing for clear monitoring of the impact of actions taken.
The quality of teaching, learning, and assessment is also rated as good. Teachers employ effective questioning techniques and have raised expectations for pupils' writing standards. The teaching of reading is particularly effective, with a focus on comprehension and vocabulary development. However, there are areas for improvement, particularly in ensuring that the most able pupils are consistently challenged across all subjects. The curriculum is engaging, but there is a need for better planning to ensure that pupils' knowledge builds progressively.
Pupils' personal development, behavior, and welfare are strong points for the school. Pupils demonstrate respect and care for one another, and they feel safe and well-supported. The school promotes positive attitudes to learning through its MAGIC habits and PROUD traits, which help build resilience and self-belief. The variety of clubs and extracurricular activities offered contributes to pupils' overall development, and the school effectively uses pupil premium funding to support disadvantaged pupils.
The outcomes for pupils are good, with current students making strong progress in reading, writing, and mathematics. However, progress in subjects like history, geography, and science is less robust. The school has a strong focus on the needs of disadvantaged pupils and those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), ensuring they receive the support necessary to thrive.
Early years provision is also rated as good, with effective leadership and a welcoming environment that fosters children's development. The early years team focuses on language development and provides opportunities for reasoning and discussion. Children make good progress, and there is a strong emphasis on involving parents in their children's education.
Overall, Castle Hill Primary School is a good school with effective leadership, quality teaching, and a strong focus on pupil welfare and development. While there are areas for improvement, particularly in challenging the most able pupils and ensuring consistent subject knowledge development, the school is well-positioned to continue its trajectory of improvement. The positive feedback from parents and the supportive school community further enhance the school's reputation as a nurturing and effective educational environment.
