Kingsnorth CE Primary School in Kent has achieved IQM Flagship School status.
Sources of Evidence
The school set themselves a challenging programme of work for 2017-18 with targets relating to 7 of the 8 IQM elements. During my visit to the school I was able to speak to the Head Teacher, IQM Co-ordinator and key staff members who were directly involved in the setting of targets. Hard copy and electronic evidence was also produced and I can confirm that from my discussions and scrutiny of the documentation that the school’s reviews and evaluations of progress are clear and accurate.
The targets relating to Pupil Premium are a reflection of the ongoing emphasis within the school to review practice and ensure accuracy of information. The school is setting an excellent example in terms of collaboration within the MAT i.e. using a range of staff/governors/SIP to monitor, question and evaluate progress. The website will be updated including detailed reference to Quality First Teaching and how this impacts on ALL learners.
The second part of the target was to review practice and information sharing systems relating to Pupil Premium. As is the Kingsnorth way, the school has fully reviewed and developed their practices, including a collaboration with an outside provider enabling easier tracking of PP expenditure and impact. Details are also now included on the school website.
Creating an Outstanding Teaching and Learning Environment
The school is keen to make the best possible use of the space/land available and has already developed some innovative approaches to increase the teaching and learning spaces both inside and outside the building. Co-operation and communication with the village hall com-mittee has resulted in improved access and car parking. The target set for this element is likely to be ongoing for the next 3 years. The school has engaged an outside specialist company to assist in the audit and a development plan. This will also ensure that all proposals and developments are in line with Disability Law.
This is related to recommendations within the accessibility audit/plan, and again in partnership with an outside agency. Many changes have been actioned including better car parking facilities, this target will remain as “ongoing” so that the school will aim to be fully disability compliant within the 3 year time frame for the review of progress.
Teaching and Learning
Following discussions held at the last IQM review and the school’s participation in an Education Endowment Foundation Project being introduced across the Aquila Multi-Academy Trust, the school has introduced the Iris Connect system for all teaching staff. As well as the current recording, sharing and self/peer analysis of teaching, staff are developing key descriptors of “Outstanding Teaching” breaking this down into sections i.e. What would “Out-standing” Challenge, Engagement, Questioning etc. look like in a lesson, where are they currently? What do they need to do to close the gaps? This will give staff Key Performance Indicators when judging their own and colleagues’ quality of teaching.
Collaboration, Support, Training and CPD
The final target set during last year’s review was “To continue to work with the other schools in the Aquila Academy Trust in a supportive capacity sharing expertise and developing the wider school community.”
Kingsnorth has worked closely with Brenzett Primary School over the last year, and continues with this role. The Head Teacher of Kingsnorth has now been appointed as Executive Head Teacher at the partner school. The support work has focussed primarily on Data, SIMs, Safeguarding, Assessment and a Nurture Group approach. Staff collaboration and visits have been a central part of this work.
Flagship Research and Development
Target for Flagship Status: – “To develop a model of Leadership and Development across two schools, under an Executive Headteacher and Joint Local Governing Body, developing leadership structures and capacity for improvement.”
Within this overall target the school has identified the following detailed areas of work/research:-
1. To develop the capacity of Leadership by developing a model which delegates leadership at all levels and supports growth and school improvement.
2. To improve the outcomes for all pupils through refining the process of ‘Quality First Teaching’ so that standards improve and progress is sustained.
3. To produce a ‘Model’ for improvement which demonstrates capacity that can be used in the future and with other schools which shows impact on school improvement and how this can be achieved.
Kingsnorth CE Primary School is an outstanding model of inclusive practice with a willingness to collaborate, share and develop new and innovative practice. They have demonstrated over a period of time as a Centre of Excellence that they have the skills, knowledge and expertise to fulfil the challenges of the targets set within their Flagship Action Plan.
In addition to the exciting and innovative developments over previous years, and those planned for the future, the school retains its “village school” presence and strives to provide an engaging, challenging and motivational environment for all students.
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