Ofsted conducted a short inspection of Longfleet Church of England Primary School on 28 March 2019, following its previous judgment of good in April 2013. The inspection confirmed that the school continues to maintain a good quality of education. The leadership team has effectively addressed the priorities identified in the last inspection, ensuring that pupils enjoy their learning and make progress. Since Mr. Helm's appointment as headteacher three years ago, he has strengthened the school's community focus, emphasizing the importance of valuing parents and staff while promoting a holistic educational experience for pupils.
Pupils demonstrate strong collaboration and engagement in their learning, supported by the school's high expectations for behavior and mutual respect. Attendance rates are above the national average, and pupils benefit from a diverse range of extracurricular activities, particularly in sports and music. The school encourages participation in various competitive sports and offers numerous opportunities for musical development, including collaborations with professional orchestras.
Parental satisfaction is notably high, with nearly all parents recommending the school to others. Feedback from parents highlights the dedication of the staff and the positive environment fostered within the school. The early years foundation stage is effective, with a high percentage of children achieving a good level of development. Phonics results in Year 1 are consistently above national averages, and pupils continue to make progress throughout key stages 1 and 2.
Safeguarding practices are robust, with a strong culture of care that values every child and their family. Staff are well-trained, and clear systems are in place to address any concerns. Pupils feel safe and supported, with initiatives like the 'Keep Safe Council' helping to promote a caring environment. The school has effective recruitment and training processes for staff, ensuring that safeguarding measures are up to date.
Governors play an active role in supporting and challenging the school, demonstrating a clear understanding of its priorities. They work collaboratively with other schools within the multi-academy trust to share best practices. The inspection focused on how well leaders ensure that disadvantaged pupils achieve expected standards. Although the proportion of disadvantaged pupils is lower than the national average, the school has implemented strategies to support their progress effectively. Tracking data indicates that disadvantaged pupils are making similar or better progress compared to their peers.
The inspection also examined the consistency of teaching across the school. While overall progress is at least average, some variability exists between year groups. Leaders have worked to strengthen teaching practices and ensure a consistent curriculum offer. Professional development for teachers has been prioritized, and middle leadership has been enhanced to monitor standards effectively.
Writing has shown significant improvement since the last inspection, with pupils making above-average progress. The school has focused on developing writing skills through targeted professional development and engaging resources. However, there is still work to be done to ensure that writing skills are consistently applied across all subjects.
In summary, Longfleet Church of England Primary School continues to provide a good quality of education, with strong leadership, effective safeguarding, and high levels of parental satisfaction. The school is committed to improving outcomes for all pupils, particularly those who are disadvantaged, while ensuring consistency in teaching and learning across all year groups.
