Stowting Church of England Primary School

Inspection of a school judged good for overall effectiveness before September 2024: Stowting Church of England Primary School Stowting, Stowting Hill, Ashford, Kent TN25 6BE

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Outcome

Evidence gathered during this ungraded (section 8) inspection suggests that the school’s work may have improved significantly across all areas since the previous inspection. The school’s next inspection will be a graded inspection.

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What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils are eager and respectful. They are highly engaged in learning and relish the curriculum’s ambitious topics. The school has high aspirations for pupils, and they achieve well. Pupils feel inspired by the knowledge they gain. They are proud of their accomplishments and ready for their next stage of education.

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What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils enjoy attending this friendly school. They feel safe and welcome the school’s principles of shared respect. Open and honest communication between pupils and staff builds robust, caring relationships. This positivity is reflected in pupils’ exceptionally strong attitudes to school. If pupils have worries or concerns, they are assured that staff will help them. Pupils behave well and are kind to each other. They demonstrate the inclusive spirit of the school and show high standards of manners and politeness. Consequently, learning proceeds smoothly.

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What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils thrive in this exceptional school. They strive to treat others as they wish to be treated. Pupils relish their part in an increasingly diverse school community. They welcome and understand difference and diversity. Pupils and staff are united in their devotion to the school’s values. Both staff and pupils share an expectation that everyone is compassionate and gives their best efforts.

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

Pupils flourish because of the school’s ambitious and well organised curriculum. This sets out the order of what pupils learn from Reception onwards. Pupils learn the curriculum 3 June 2025

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through activities that are well matched to what they know. They use and apply their knowledge expertly across a wide range of subjects. Pupils share their opinions and knowledge in lessons to enrich debate and deepen understanding. Pupils’ books across the curriculum show that they remember key knowledge and use this extremely well.

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The school is highly effective at finding out what pupils know and can do. Staff use this information skilfully to identify any challenges and support pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Staff’s high expectations of pupils are reflected in their motivation to be the absolute best they can be. Staff expertly introduce and secure new learning effectively. Over time, pupils know and remember more. They achieve very well.

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The teaching of reading is skilful. The school has designed a clear and highly effective curriculum for reading. Children in Reception start the reading programme swiftly and with purpose. This continues throughout the school and reading remains a clear priority. Pupils love reading and enjoy a broad range of carefully chosen books. They are keen to discuss their favourite authors and books, and this inspires them to continue reading at home. Pupils read books that the school carefully matches to their reading skills. Consequently, pupils develop into fluent and accurate readers.

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Pupils’ behaviour across the school is excellent. The school teaches pupils not only how to behave well, but why this is important for their future. Consequently, pupils learn to independently make good choices. They follow routines without relying on adult direction. Pupils, including those in the Reception class, use excellent communication skills to resolve any minor disagreements. The school has developed an exceptionally strong culture of positivity. This is reflected in pupils’ and staff’s well-being. The school makes effective adjustments to routines and systems to support pupils with SEND.

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The school has a sharp focus on attendance. Its detailed and comprehensive approach to supporting pupils’ attendance is effective. Pupils understand the importance of attending school and being on time. As a result, most pupils, including those who are disadvantaged, attend school regularly.

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Pupils’ maturity and character shine through their actions and attitudes. The school purposefully provides opportunities and learning to develop pupils’ independence. Pupils learn key life skills with well-chosen experiences. These include opportunities to support their local community with acts of charity and take part in performances. Pupils have a deep appreciation and knowledge of different faiths and perspectives. They learn about ways that people can be different and the importance of respecting these differences. The school ensures that pupils who are disadvantaged fully benefit from these rich experiences.

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Leaders at every level are passionate about the school and its role in the community. The staff are unified in their vision of the importance of the education and opportunities they provide for pupils. The school provides a comprehensive professional development programme. As a result, staff have excellent professional skills and knowledge. Staff feel their welfare is a school priority. Governors are highly effective at meeting their statutory 3 June 2025

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duties. They offer effective and prompt challenge while also providing meaningful support to staff.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Background

Until September 2024, on a graded (section 5) inspection we gave schools an overall effectiveness grade, in addition to the key and provision judgements. Overall effectiveness grades given before September 2024 will continue to be visible on school inspection reports and on Ofsted’s website. From September 2024 graded inspections will not include an overall effectiveness grade. This school was, before September 2024, judged to be good for its overall effectiveness.

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Background

We have now inspected the school to determine whether it has taken effective action to maintain the standards identified at that previous inspection. This is called an ungraded inspection, and it is carried out under section 8 of the Education Act 2005. We do not give graded judgements on an ungraded inspection. However, if we find evidence that a school’s work has improved significantly or that it may not be as strong as it was at the last inspection, then the next inspection will be a graded inspection. A graded inspection is carried out under section 5 of the Act. Usually this is within one to two years of the date of the ungraded inspection. If we have serious concerns about safeguarding, behaviour or the quality of education, we will deem the ungraded inspection a graded inspection immediately.

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How can I feed back my views?

find out what other parents and carers think. We use information from Ofsted Parent View when deciding which schools to inspect, when to inspect them and as part of their inspection.

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How can I feed back my views?

The Department for Education has further guidance on how to complain about a school.

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Further information

You can search for published performance information about the school.

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Further information

In the report, ‘disadvantaged pupils’ is used to mean pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND); pupils who meet the definition of children in need of help and protection ; pupils receiving statutory local authority support from a social worker; and pupils who otherwise meet the criteria used for deciding the school’s pupil premium funding (this includes pupils claiming free school meals at any point in the last six years, 3 June 2025

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looked after children (children in local authority care) and/or children who left care through adoption or another formal route). 3 June 2025

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School details

Appropriate authority The governing body

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School details

Dates of previous inspection 12 and 13 November 2019, under section 5 of the Education Act 2005

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Information about this school

 The headteacher has changed since the previous inspection. They were appointed in January 2025.  The school is part of the Church of England Diocese of Canterbury.  The school’s last section 48 inspection, for schools of a religious character, was in October 2017.  The school does not currently use any alternative provision.

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Information about this inspection

 Inspections are a point-in-time evaluation about the quality of a school’s education provision.  This was the first routine inspection the school received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspectors discussed the impact of the pandemic with the school and have taken that into account in their evaluation of the school.  During the inspection, the inspectors spoke to leaders of the school, members of the governing body and representatives of the local authority and diocese. 3 June 2025

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 To evaluate the effectiveness of safeguarding, the inspectors: reviewed the single central record; took account of the views of leaders, staff and pupils; and considered the extent to which the school has created an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts pupils’ interests first.  The inspectors considered the views expressed by staff and pupils in Ofsted’s online surveys and the responses of parents to the online parent survey, Ofsted Parent View.  The inspectors visited a sample of lessons, spoke to some pupils about their learning and looked at samples of pupils’ work.

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Inspection team

Toby Martlew, lead inspector His Majesty’s Inspector

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achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children’s social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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