Pupils love learning at Christ the King Catholic Voluntary Academy in Alfreton, according to Ofsted inspectors who have rated the school ‘Good’ in all areas.
In their report, inspectors said: “Pupils love learning in this school. They are happy and they feel safe. They talk with clear enthusiasm about learning new knowledge. They behave well and respectfully.”
The quality of education at Christ the King, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, early years provision and the school’s overall effectiveness have all been rated ‘Good’.
It was noted that leaders are ambitious for all pupils and that staff at the school, which is part of the St Ralph Sherwin Catholic Multi Academy Trust, are a strong team.
Inspectors said: “They (staff) support each other well in striving for improvement. All staff and pupils live out the school mission ‘to be the best we can be.’ The school is welcoming and inclusive. Staff work hard to ensure that this is a safe place in which to learn.”
The “warmth of the school’s positive ethos” reaches out into the local area and activities such as planting bulbs, sending letters to a local care home and volunteering in the community were highlighted.
Positive relationships between pupils were praised, including those in the early years and parents and carers are happy with the care provided.
“They (pupils) play happily and older pupils support younger pupils with their reading. Parents and carers are very positive about the school. They welcome the way the school makes them feel part of a community through their kindness and support.”
The curriculum was described in the report as “organised, ambitious and well-sequenced”.
“Leaders have set out an organised, ambitious and well-sequenced curriculum. Staff develop pupils’ vocabulary from the start of the early years through to Year 6. Pupils use their precise vocabulary to talk confidently about what they have learned,” inspectors said.
Reading is at the heart of the curriculum, children make a good start with their phonics from the beginning of the early years and pupils describe reading as “diving into an adventure”, according to the report.
Inspectors noted that maths is taught through a well-planned curriculum and they said that pupils who are disadvantaged or have special educational needs learn well alongside their peers.
Pupils’ behaviour was praised and pupils’ personal development was described as a “strength of the school”.
Arrangements for safeguarding were found to be effective.
Inspectors said: “The school goes above and beyond to engage wider agency support for its pupils and families in a rigorous approach and positive safeguarding culture.”
Megan Watts, Headteacher at Christ the King, said: “We are incredibly pleased with the outcome of the inspection and with this report. We feel it reflects the hard work of all our children, staff and governors. The inspection has not only validated our journey so far, it has also supported us in continuing to shape our vision for the future of our school. We are excited to continue that journey as a school community.”
Kevin Gritton, Chief Executive of the St Ralph Sherwin Catholic Multi Academy Trust, said: “We are delighted for everyone at Christ the King and it is fantastic to see that all of the hard work done to ensure that pupils receive the very best education has been recognised in the report. Congratulations and well done to everyone involved.”
