Raynsford Church of England Academy

Overview

Raynsford Church of England Academy has taken effective action to maintain the standards identified at the previous inspection. Pupils love their school, behaving consistently well and feeling safe within a community that values inclusivity and respect. The school delivers a high-quality education, with most pupils attaining nationally expected standards by Year 6.

Strengths

• The revised curriculum is "well-thought-out and ambitious," particularly in reading, writing, and mathematics, with clear learning steps.
• Staff expertise in English and mathematics is strong, using effective questioning to deepen understanding and providing prompt support.
• The phonics programme ensures pupils quickly develop reading fluency, supported by regular progress checks and high-quality books.
• Early years provision is a strength, with children making rapid progress through a detailed curriculum that effectively prepares them for later learning.
• Support for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) is effective, with staff working closely with families to ensure access to the curriculum.

Areas to improve

• Pupils in the early stages of writing occasionally lack sufficient practice to develop "fluent, legible handwriting," hindering their ability to express ideas.
• In the wider curriculum, learning activities are sometimes "over-complicated and not well-matched enough to what pupils know," limiting depth of learning.
• Staff training in the wider curriculum has not been as extensive as in core subjects, requiring continued review and development.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.