Infant school in Benfleet rated 'good' in first inspection for more than 17 years

A SCHOOL which has been inspected by Ofsted for the first time in nearly two decades has been praised by inspectors for being “welcoming and inclusive”.

Kents Hill Infant Academy, in Kents Hill Road, Benfleet, has been rated “good” in all areas after an inspection on March 13 and 14.

This is the first time the school has been rated since 2007, when it received the highest possible rating of “outstanding”.

A recent study revealed that since 2020, Ofsted estimates it inspected 1,136 previously outstanding schools and four out of five schools dropped from the top grade.

It is claimed by other schools in south Essex that this is due to the inspection criteria being “more challenging”.

The report, seen by the Echo, was still full of praise for Kents Hill Infant Academy.

It stated: “Kents Hill Infant Academy is a welcoming and inclusive school where pupils are happy. Pupils enjoy coming to school.

“They feel safe in the nurturing environment that staff have created. They follow the school’s rules, ‘ready, respectful, safe,’ which are built into everyday life.

“The school has the same ambition for all pupils. Pupils enjoy learning because lessons are fun. This motivates them to do well. Pupils are proud of their achievements.

“Pupils play happily together in the playground. They are kind to each other. Pupils know that any unkindness or bullying, which is rare, will be dealt with quickly by teachers.”

At the time of the inspection, there were 253 pupils at the school, all aged between three and seven.

Kents Hill Infant, which is part of the South Essex Academy Trust, was also praised for its curriculum.

The report added: “Staff enjoy working at the school. They appreciate that leaders are considerate regarding their well-being and workload. As a result, staff feel supported. The school has developed a broad, balanced, and ambitious curriculum that starts in the early years.

"It is carefully considered from Nursery to Year 2, with clear guidance that supports teachers to help build pupils’ knowledge over time. The school has provided staff with training in how to teach the curriculum.”

The only criticism by Ofsted was that “a small number of pupils’ writing is inconsistent and does not show what pupils know and remember”.

Gemma Thurston, headteacher at Kents Hill Infant Academy, said: "We are thrilled to have the hardwork of our staff, pupils and supportive KHIA community recognised by Ofsted.

"We pride ourselves in not only providing an excellent curriculum, but also a caring and nurturing environment for our fantastic pupils. We would like to thank all of our parents and carers, and the wider school community for the unwavering support you have given us."