Charlton Kings Infants’ School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school The headteacher has had a very positive impact on the school at many levels since her appointment in January 2017. Staff respect her leadership. They feel involved in decision-making and so they are well motivated and committed to new ways of working.

As national expectations have risen, the school has not sustained an outstanding standard of education for pupils. However, the headteacher's actions, in a short space of time, have ensured that the school is securely good. In the early years, strong leadership, effective teaching and a rich, inviting environment have combined to ensure that outcomes for children are good and improving.

A hi...gh proportion of pupils attain the expected standard in the Year 1 phonics screening check. Pupils' progress in reading is good. By the end of key stage 1, pupils' attainment in reading is above average.

Teaching encourages pupils to read often. Key stage 1 pupils' attainment in writing was below average in the past. It is improving for current pupils.

However, pupils' spelling is still a weakness. Teaching is consistently good and improving. Pupils are motivated and challenged well in class.

However, work for the most able pupils is sometimes too easy, especially in writing. Senior leaders have introduced new approaches to teaching mathematics. These are helping pupils make good progress.

Teachers' planning is consistently strong across the school. The curriculum is suitably broad and is enriched with many exciting activities. The contribution of teaching assistants in promoting pupils' good progress is variable in its effectiveness, particularly for pupils who have special educational needs (SEN) and/or disabilities.

Pupils are friendly, polite and considerate. They behave well in lessons and respect their teachers. Senior leaders understand the school's strengths and weaknesses well.

Their development plans are clear about what needs to be done to improve the school further. Many middle leaders are new to their roles. They are beginning to develop the rigour of their checks on the quality of teaching in their areas but these are not yet fully established.

The governing body has restructured the way it holds the school to account. This is enabling it to challenge and support the headteacher more effectively.

Information about this school

Charlton Kings Infants' School converted to become an academy in September 2011.

Its predecessor school, with the same name, was last inspected by Ofsted in January 2009. It was judged to be outstanding overall at that time. The chair of the governing body took up his role in September 2015.

The headteacher was appointed in January 2017. The school is an average-sized infants' school. The school has a kindergarten which provides education for children aged three and above.

The proportion of pupils who have SEN and/or disabilities is below average. The proportion of pupils who are supported through pupil premium funding is well below average. Most pupils are of White British heritage.

Also at this postcode