Church Langton Church of England Primary School, located in Market Harborough, Leicestershire, has been recognized as a good school following its inspection on April 5 and 6, 2022. The school fosters a positive environment where pupils express pride in their institution and maintain good relationships with peers and staff. Students appreciate the support they receive from teachers, who are described as kind and patient, helping them to learn effectively and remember key concepts. The school’s values, which include compassion, endurance, forgiveness, friendship, thankfulness, trust, and wisdom, are well understood by the pupils, who actively commit to treating others with respect.
The behavior of students is commendable, characterized by politeness and respect towards one another. Those who require additional support in adhering to school rules receive assistance from both peers and staff. The school offers a wide array of enrichment and extracurricular activities, which students enjoy, such as participating in the Easter play and performing with the school’s brass band. Pupils are aware of what constitutes bullying and understand how to address it, noting that incidents of bullying are rare.
The curriculum at Church Langton is broad and ambitious, with a well-structured plan that outlines learning objectives across subjects. Teachers design lesson sequences that build knowledge incrementally, allowing most pupils to retain what they have learned. However, there are some subjects where the curriculum does not clearly define the essential content that students should master, leading to inconsistencies in knowledge retention.
Phonics instruction is effectively delivered, with engaging lessons that help pupils become fluent readers quickly. Over time, students develop a love for reading, exploring various genres and enjoying listening to teachers read. Nonetheless, the reading curriculum beyond phonics lacks a clear sequence, making it difficult to track progress throughout the school year.
In the early years, children are happy and well cared for, with a curriculum that is thoughtfully planned and sequenced. Activities are designed to support their learning, and children have shown enthusiasm for topics such as observing newly hatched chicks. Pupils with special educational needs receive appropriate support, with clear plans in place to monitor their progress.
The school provides numerous events and activities that enhance the curriculum, including opportunities for older pupils to take on leadership roles such as wellbeing ambassadors and sports ambassadors. The school council is highly regarded, having successfully advocated for improvements to the school grounds.
Leadership at the school is strong, with senior leaders possessing a clear understanding of the school’s strengths and areas for improvement. Governors and trust leaders effectively challenge and support the school. However, there are some inconsistencies in subject leadership, with certain middle leaders needing a better understanding of their roles in curriculum planning.
Safeguarding measures are effective, with staff trained to recognize and respond to concerns. Pupils feel safe and know how to stay safe in various situations. Regular checks are conducted to ensure the safety of all students.
To improve, the school should ensure that all subjects have clearly defined essential content for pupils to learn and remember. Additionally, the reading curriculum needs better sequencing to facilitate effective monitoring of student progress. Addressing these areas will further enhance the quality of education provided at Church Langton Church of England Primary School.
