Kelvedon St Mary’s Church of England Primary Academy

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Kelvedon St Mary's is a vibrant happy place to learn.

Pupils learn a varied curriculum. They look forward to the interesting lessons that teachers plan for them. Pupils try hard and achieve well.

Teachers help pupils to deepen their understanding of the curriculum through questions and a range of activities.

From the early years, pupils embody the school values, 'the 6 Rs', which include being resourceful, reflective and resilient. These help pupils to develop good learning habits.

Pupils use these values when faced with new learning challenges. Pupils enjoy celebrating their learning successes.

Pupils are kind, caring and respectful towards... each other.

From Nursery, they learn to take turns and play well with their peers. This creates a calm and purposeful atmosphere in the school. Pupils have strong, positive relationships with staff.

Pupils learn about making a difference in their school community through a range of pupil leadership roles. These include school council, 'rota kids' and holy council. Pupils learn about being courageous and why it is important to use your voice to make changes.

For example, pupils in Year 2 have created posters to encourage less food waste at lunchtime.

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

Starting from the early years, the school has implemented a curriculum that is broad and ambitious. Leaders have considered what they want pupils to learn and when.

In the early years, the curriculum clearly outlines what children will learn so they are well prepared for Year 1. Staff review the curriculum regularly to ensure that it meets pupils' needs.

In many subjects, staff use effective questioning to identify pupils' misconceptions.

They check what pupils have understood, so that they can move pupils on with their learning quickly. In some instances, the work that pupils get does not always match their stage in learning. This is because, in a few subjects, staff do not always check that pupils have a solid understanding of previous learning before introducing new content.

The curriculum is well planned. However, teachers do not always implement it as leaders intend. This is because some staff do not always have guidance and training to teach the curriculum to leaders' high expectations.

In some subjects, pupils do not learn the important subject knowledge that leaders have set out.

Reading is of high importance in the school. From Nursery, children learn the foundations needed to begin to learn the sounds that letters make.

Children in Reception quickly learn to read. They are confident with their sounds and achieve highly with their reading. Children are well prepared for the Year 1 curriculum.

Pupils who find reading tricky get the support they need to practise their phonics. They quickly become confident, fluent readers. There is a love of reading across the school.

Children in Nursery delight in listening to stories. Pupils in Year 6 confidently debate the books and genres they like and dislike.

Staff quickly identify pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).

Staff know pupils well and from Nursery children get the support they need to achieve well. Staff in the specially resourced provision are highly skilled. They support pupils with autism spectrum disorder and complex needs to integrate successfully into the classroom.

Staff ensure that pupils with SEND access all areas of the curriculum, including enrichment opportunities, such as inclusive sports clubs. Pupils with SEND access the same curriculum as their peers. They achieve well.

Pupils learn about friendship, relationships and emotions in an age-appropriate way. They learn about changes and how to manage their emotions with this. Pupils are cared for very well.

They value the relationships they have with staff. Pupils are confident to talk to staff about their worries and concerns.

Pupils enjoy clubs, such as football, computing and mathematics clubs and make good use of them.

They are proud to represent their school in sporting fixtures. Pupils are particularly excited about their school newspaper 'Kelvedon Kronicle,' which pupils produce to raise awareness of issues in their school community and to celebrate success.

Pupils behave exceptionally well in lessons and around the school.

They have highly positive attitudes to learning. They know why regular attendance is important. Attendance is high.

The trust and school leaders work well to improve the school. They focus on making things even better for pupils. Senior leaders have worked at pace to make changes to the school's curriculum.

The school supports staff to improve their practice. Staff appreciate the support they get from leaders and are proud to work at the school.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

• In some subjects, pupils do not learn the curriculum the way that leaders intend. This means that, in these subjects, pupils develop gaps in learning, for example, with vocabulary, and work is not always well matched to what pupils already know and can do. The school needs to ensure that, in all subjects, staff consistently teach the curriculum highly effectively and in the way leaders intend.

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