Churchfield CofE Academy, located in Cheshunt, Hertfordshire, was inspected on November 13-14, 2018, and received an overall effectiveness rating of good. The headteacher demonstrates strong leadership and has high expectations for both staff and pupils. Since joining the Diocese of St Albans multi-academy trust, the school has made significant progress, benefiting from effective support and challenge from trust leaders. The leadership team has a clear understanding of the school’s strengths and weaknesses, and their improvement plans focus on appropriate priorities.
Pupils at Churchfield make good progress, with attainment in reading, writing, and mathematics at both key stages 1 and 2 above national averages. The quality of teaching, learning, and assessment is also rated as good, with ongoing improvements supported by effective training and support for staff. The curriculum is broad and varied, providing pupils with a wide range of learning experiences. Pupils’ spiritual, moral, social, and cultural development is a strength, as they are confident, responsible, and caring individuals who feel safe and well looked after.
Behaviour in the school is good, with pupils demonstrating positive attitudes towards learning and enjoying their time at school. The leadership of early years is strong, ensuring that children develop positive attitudes towards learning from the outset. However, some leaders are new to their roles, and their skills are still developing. There are also concerns regarding the challenge provided to the most able pupils, particularly in writing, and inconsistencies in teaching quality across key stage 1.
Attendance levels are a concern, with overall pupil absence being too high, particularly among disadvantaged pupils and those with special educational needs and disabilities. The school has identified strategies to improve attendance, focusing on reducing absence rates for these groups.
To further improve, the school needs to enhance the challenge for the most able pupils, ensure consistent high-quality teaching across key stage 1, and provide additional support and training for new leaders. Additionally, efforts must be intensified to improve attendance, particularly for disadvantaged pupils and those with SEND.
The governance of the school is effective, with the trust board and regional hub boards providing clear support and challenge. Trustees are well-trained and have a good understanding of the school’s strengths and weaknesses, ensuring that statutory duties, particularly in safeguarding, are met.
Safeguarding arrangements are effective, with a strong culture of safeguarding in place. Staff receive regular training and are well-equipped to identify and report concerns. The school maintains effective communication with external agencies to ensure that pupils receive the necessary support.
Overall, Churchfield CofE Academy is a good school that provides a supportive and nurturing environment for its pupils. The leadership team is committed to continuous improvement, and with the right strategies in place, the school is well-positioned to address the areas identified for further development.
