Two Village Church of England Primary School, located in Ramsey, Harwich, was inspected on July 18 and 19, 2023. The overall effectiveness of the school was rated as requiring improvement, along with the quality of education, behavior and attitudes, leadership and management, and early years provision. The school had not been previously inspected under section five of the Education Act 2005.
Pupils at the school feel safe and are friendly towards visitors, forming strong relationships with staff. They trust the adults to help resolve any friendship issues, including instances of bullying, which they report occurs infrequently. While leaders have high expectations for behavior and achievement, these expectations are not consistently communicated by all staff, leading to some pupils not showing adequate respect towards each other and adults. Although many pupils achieve well, low expectations from some adults hinder the progress of others.
The school offers various extracurricular opportunities, including clubs for dance, musical theatre, and mindfulness, as well as trips that broaden pupils' experiences. A residential trip for Year 6 pupils fosters independence, and roles such as learning ambassadors and school councillors help develop leadership skills. Despite recent staffing and leadership changes, pupils have shown resilience and generally enjoy their time at school.
Leaders have made efforts to drive improvements during a challenging period, with a clear and ambitious vision for the curriculum. In subjects like mathematics and English, where leadership is stable, the curriculum aims are well understood, and plans are designed to provide essential knowledge in a logical order. Reading is prioritized, with a newly refurbished library and a consistent phonics program that supports early readers effectively.
However, the wider curriculum lacks clarity, with some leaders new to their roles and others overseeing multiple subjects. This has resulted in inconsistent delivery across subjects, leading to gaps in pupils' knowledge. High staff turnover has further complicated the establishment of a cohesive vision. While many pupils behave well in lessons, a small number of pupils with challenging behavior have required additional support, and there is not yet a shared understanding of the new behavior management approach.
The school has improved its systems for identifying pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), allowing for inclusive learning alongside peers. However, the provision for these pupils does not always align with their needs, preventing them from working independently. In the early years and Year 1, the curriculum is designed to support appropriate learning, but opportunities to model language and reinforce key learning are sometimes missed.
Pupils learn about healthy lifestyles and fundamental British values, showing appreciation for diversity within their community. Some parents have expressed concerns about the school due to the numerous changes, but trust leaders and the local schools board are aware of the necessary improvements and support the ongoing efforts.
The safeguarding arrangements at the school are effective, with trained staff who recognize signs of risk and act promptly on concerns. The school maintains robust record-keeping systems and ensures appropriate checks on adults working at the school. Pupils are educated on how to keep themselves safe, including online safety.
To improve, the school needs to establish a shared understanding of the wider curriculum aims and ensure consistent delivery across subjects. Leaders must also ensure that behavior management strategies are understood and applied uniformly by all staff to minimize disruptions. Additionally, staff training should focus on adapting provisions to meet the needs of pupils with SEND effectively.
