Kingshill still Good - and getting better, says inspector

Kingshill Church School in Nailsea is a primary that’s on the up – and that’s official.

An Ofsted visit in March confirmed that the school retains the Good rating and highlighted recent improvements brought about by headteacher Lisa Harvey and her team.

The two HMI inspectors said in their report: “The school’s leadership team … are relentless in their drive to secure a high-quality education.”

“Adults and pupils appreciate the school’s work to develop a positive atmosphere for learning.”

Ofsted said children felt happy and safe at the school and noted that arrangements for safeguarding were effective.

 “Pupils feel valued. The school supports families to ensure that pupils attend well. Many pupils join at different points in the school year. They settle in quickly and are made to feel welcome.”

Kingshill, which has 126 pupils aged four to 11, is part of Bath & Wells Multi Academy Trust and the inspectors said: “The school and trust are ambitious for all pupils.”

The report highlighted the high expectations of children from Reception Year onwards and it praised the focus on reading.

“Reading is at the front and centre of the school’s priorities. The school is uncompromising in the importance it places on reading.”

Ofsted said the school’s leaders had acted to address weaknesses in the curriculum that had led to poor results and had now designed learning that identified what pupils needed to know and remember and were implementing it well, so children were making good progress.

Other strengths highlighted in the report included:

• Children with special educational needs or disabilities are supported well;
• Opportunities for pupils to showcase their work and bring the community together are carefully designed;
• Pupils know that discrimination of any kind is unacceptable;
• Trips in and around the local area enrich learning.

Headteacher Lisa Harvey said: “We are proud of this report, it acknowledges the quality of the relationships, our curriculum and recognises the positive impact this is having on the children’s progress.”

“We are also pleased that the inspectors recognised the welcoming and nurturing environment of our school and its community, where staff and parents work together to support the social and emotional development of children as well as their academic progress. Many of the comments reflect the children’s voice and the way in which they feel valued and seen. This is central to our school offer.

“Our dedicated staff team, with the support of the trust and families, are determined to continue to enable everyone – adults and children – to be the best versions of themselves and be ready to live life in all its fullness.”