Kingsteignton School, located in Devon, has been evaluated as a good school following its inspection in April and May 2019. The leadership and management of the school are effective, with strong partnerships enhancing the overall educational experience. The appointment of a new special educational needs leader has contributed positively to the support provided for disadvantaged pupils and those with special educational needs and disabilities. These students are making good progress across most subjects due to the effective support they receive.
The quality of teaching, learning, and assessment is also rated as good. Teachers utilize the curriculum effectively, offering a diverse range of activities that engage students and foster their interests. Pupils demonstrate exceptional skills in reading and mathematics, showing enthusiasm for reading and acquiring phonics skills effectively. The school excels in promoting spiritual, moral, social, and cultural development, with pupils exhibiting positive attitudes, high levels of respect, and good behavior.
In the early years, children receive a strong start due to good teaching and stimulating experiences. The school’s action plans, however, need to be more precise in identifying how governance can evaluate the impact of actions and teaching strategies aimed at raising standards. While safeguarding measures are effective, there is a need for further training to ensure all staff understand the risks associated with administrative errors.
Current pupils are making good progress, but there are notable weaknesses in writing, particularly in applying writing skills across subjects like history and geography. This affects the progress of all pupils, including the most able. To improve further, the school needs to enhance the accountability of leaders by ensuring that improvement plans are sharply focused with clear targets and timescales. Additionally, leaders should regularly monitor these plans and make necessary adjustments to increase their effectiveness.
The quality of teaching and learning can be improved by ensuring that teachers develop pupils’ writing skills across the curriculum and enhance the teaching and assessment of spelling in key stage one. The leadership team has a clear vision for the school and understands its strengths and areas for improvement. The support from the United Schools Federation has been instrumental in the school’s progress, particularly in staff training and coaching.
Trustees play an active role in supporting and challenging leaders, ensuring resources are available to improve facilities and enhance the quality of education. They are ambitious for all pupils and understand the challenges the school faces as it expands. The school has a good track record in phonics, with a high proportion of pupils meeting the national standard. However, there is a need for pupils to apply their phonics knowledge consistently in their writing.
Pupils’ progress in writing is not as effectively developed in subjects outside of English, and repeated spelling errors are not adequately addressed. The early years provision is strong, with children making good progress from their starting points. The learning environment is engaging, and children display resilience and concentration in their tasks. Overall, Kingsteignton School is a good school with effective leadership, quality teaching, and a commitment to improving outcomes for all pupils.
