Pembury School

Overview

Pembury School has taken effective action to maintain the standards identified at the previous inspection. The school fosters a positive environment where pupils are “happily involved and immersed in school life,” developing curiosity and enjoyment in their learning. Leaders are described as “uncompromising in wanting the very best for pupils,” with a clear focus on securing further improvement while managing staff workload.

Strengths

• Pupils achieve well, demonstrating enthusiasm for learning and using correct subject-specific vocabulary, particularly in mathematics where they are equipped to explain their thinking.
• The teaching of reading is “rigorous and effective,” with a consistent approach to phonics that promotes confidence and ensures pupils who need extra support are identified quickly.
• Many pupils show a “real passion for writing,” producing work with “flair and character” due to well-established early foundations.
• Teachers provide clear, precise support for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities, using accessible visual resources and allowing sufficient thinking time.
• The school prioritises pastoral care and emotional support, maintaining a “tight and effective ongoing strategy” to ensure pupils rarely miss school.

Areas to improve

• The school must ensure pupils’ knowledge is secure before moving them on to more complex work, as gaps or errors sometimes leave pupils struggling.
• Staff need to become more skilled at using information from checks on pupil understanding to adapt teaching and optimise next steps for learning.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.