Kewstoke Primary School in Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, is demonstrating encouraging progress after a troubling Ofsted report last October found the school had serious weaknesses. The latest monitoring visit on April 23, 2025, praised the school for creating a “calm and orderly” environment where pupils increasingly display positive attitudes toward their learning. While challenges remain, particularly around safeguarding and attendance, clear advances signal a turning point.
The October 2024 inspection highlighted urgent concerns with safeguarding, behaviour, and attendance. Since then, Kewstoke has implemented significant changes, including appointing five new governors and planning to join a multi-academy trust by September 2025. These structural changes have supported a focused effort to overhaul key policies and practices.
Leaders have prioritized safeguarding, an area previously deemed ineffective. The latest Ofsted letter from His Majesty’s Inspector Marie Thomas states that staff and governors now complete relevant training that enhances their ability to fulfill safeguarding responsibilities. Improved procedures and greater staff knowledge mean concerns are reported and addressed promptly. Although safeguarding records are still being strengthened to better track outcomes, the school’s determination in this area is clear.
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Behaviour improvements have been notable. A new policy introduced since October has raised standards across all year groups, fostering a calm, supportive atmosphere. Inspectors observed positive changes during breaktimes, where pupils have more space, play equipment, and staff actively encouraging cooperative play. Pupils themselves express confidence in the pastoral support available, reporting they feel safe and supported.
Attendance figures have also shown progress, especially among pupils who were persistently absent. The school continues to work alongside external agencies to further support families, recognizing attendance remains an ongoing challenge.
The school’s leadership is taking a proactive approach, with plans to enhance monitoring of behaviour and attendance data to better drive whole-school improvement. Staff have been given time and training to embrace new safeguarding and behaviour protocols, creating a collaborative environment focused on pupil wellbeing and success.
Governance has been strengthened through tailored training and professional development, including upcoming SEND provision audits, contributing to greater stability. Inspectors noted governors have a solid grasp of the school’s strengths and areas needing development, vital in underpinning sustained progress.
Interim headteacher Neil Champs welcomed the positive inspection feedback, highlighting the substantial improvements made in a short time frame. He emphasised ongoing commitment to embedding the new behaviour policy consistently and maintaining focus on safeguarding to build a safer, more supportive school environment.
While Kewstoke Primary School is still classified as having serious weaknesses, the latest Ofsted visit marks a significant step forward, with clear evidence that the school is heading in the right direction toward delivering a safe and positive learning experience for its pupils.