Goudhurst and Kilndown Church of England Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils' daily experience of school life is reflected in the school motto, 'Adventurous together'. Pupils grow in confidence through the rich and exciting opportunities provided for them.

They thrive academically and attain highly. The high-quality education on offer ensures that pupils are very well prepared for the next stages of their education.

Expectations are high right from the start of school in Reception.

Children quickly learn that being kind, working hard and achieving well are the norm. Pupils behaviour is exemplary in lessons, at play or moving around the school. They are unfailingly polite, good-humoured and considerate.

Pupils are happy... at school and smiles abound. Relationships throughout the school are warm and mutually respectful. Pupils look out for each other.

For example, they check that everyone has a whiteboard and pen or help out someone who has tripped outside. They model the schools values of curiosity, compassion, courage and commitment.

Pupils relish the many opportunities they are given to contribute to the wider life of the school.

They perform their roles with diligence and maturity. They exude pride, whether being a salad bar monitor or buddy, looking after the school chickens or writing letters to thank the many visitors to the school.

What does the school do well and what does it need to do better?

The school has ensured that an ambitious curriculum is in place.

This has been carefully ordered. Pupils build on key knowledge well as they move from Reception through to Year 6. Staff have strong understanding of what pupils have already learned and know.

They use this effectively to recap, check understanding and support pupils in applying their knowledge in a wide range of contexts. For example, in a dance lesson pupils built on knowledge about transitions learned in gymnastics and dynamics learned in music. This routine revision and extension supports pupils well in attaining highly across the curriculum.

Reading and learning to read are at the heart of the curriculum. As soon as children start in Reception, they begin to learn their phonics. Staff regularly check pupils' accuracy and understanding.

Any pupils who start to fall behind are given the support they need to catch up quickly. Pupils learn to read quickly and well. They are keen readers.

They enjoy using the well-stocked library or discussing the wide range of books they read in class.

Pupils build rich vocabularies. Staff in Reception expertly model the use of key words and phrases, which children quickly include in their play and exploration.

As pupils move up through the school they are introduced to increasingly complex content. They apply their language skills to evaluate their work and draw well-reasoned conclusions in subjects, such as science. Any pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) have their needs quickly identified and are well supported so that they can access learning and experience success.

The school has put a clear behaviour policy in place. This is well understood and consistently applied. Pupils know exactly what is expected of them and they rise to these expectations.

They work well together and apply themselves wholeheartedly to the tasks and activities that they are set. Pupils attend school regularly and arrive on time. They are excited to come to school in the mornings.

Pupils enjoy the wide range of clubs that are on offer, from humanities to football. For instance, they explain how learning tennis in lessons inspires them to attend linked clubs, both in and out of school. Opportunities for character development, such as building resilience, are carefully graduated and inbuilt.

For example, younger pupils experience a 'late night' in school and then a sleepover in school before the extended residential trip in Year 6. Pupil well-being champions work alongside staff to check that their peers feel included, safe and cared for in all aspects of school life.

The school is a cohesive, united community.

Staff describe how everyone 'pulls together'. Staff appreciate how their welfare is considered. Strong working across the federation has supported both their professional development and workload.

Governors discharge their responsibilities highly effectively. They hold leaders to account and know the school well.

Parents are rightly positive about the school.

They appreciate the family feel and say that the school 'brings out the best' in their children. One parent summed up the views of many by saying, 'We feel lucky to have a school which has high expectations for the pupils but is also a really caring and nurturing environment.'

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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