The headteacher of a Huncoat primary school has said that “maintaining the high standards that we have is no easy task” after a successful Ofsted inspection.
Ofsted no longer gives overall judgements to state-funded schools, but Accrington Huncoat Primary School was deemed to have taken effective action to maintain the standards identified at the previous inspection.
A report published on January 24 praised the school’s vision that everyone should have a ‘can-do attitude’ as well as pupil’s behaviour.
Headteacher Rachel Dickinson said: “While Ofsted outcomes aren’t the only measure of success for a school, it’s wonderful to see the hard work and tireless efforts of our pupils, staff and their families acknowledged.
“We are a Good school, and we continue to be a Good school – but to maintain the high standards that we have is no easy task.
“The ‘can do’ culture that underpins our values and ethos is brought to life through a shared dedication to helping every child realise their full potential.
“Of course, none of this would be possible without our amazing pupils and they should rightly be proud of the many comments in the report praising their fantastic behaviour and enthusiastic attitudes to learning. Well done, everyone!”
The school is part of the LET Education Trust, and leaders were said to have created a culture where everyone is valued and included.
Steve Campbell, CEO of the LET Education Trust, added: “Huncoat Primary School continues to provide its pupils with the best possible learning environment for both academic and personal development, setting every child up for future success.
“Congratulations to all on this wonderful report.”
Ofsted praised how the school taught their pupils to cooperate with and support one another, with pupils responding well to the high aspirations for their conduct, with the values of respect, cooperation and determination underpinning the school’s work.
Inspectors also noted how pupil’s positive attitudes to learning made a strong contribution to the typically calm and purposeful learning environment.
A broad and ambitious curriculum was also praised, with work set out with what pupils should learn from the early years through to Year 6 and ensures that pupils have many opportunities to build on what they already know and to revisit what they have learned.
Staff were said to use their strong subject knowledge to design activities that help pupils progress well through the curriculum, with children benefiting from the positive interactions they have with staff.
Inspectors said: “Staff make regular checks on what pupils know and remember. They promptly address any misconceptions pupils may have. As a result, pupils build their knowledge of different subjects securely over time.”
However, at times staff do not address pupils’ misconceptions quickly enough, meaning students move on to new learning before they are ready.
Children were said to enjoy coming to school, with the school working successfully to improve the attendance of pupils who do not attend school as regularly as they should.
Reading was said to be at the heart of the curriculum, with children in the early years enjoying learning about the patterns of sounds in words through stories, songs and rhymes.
Pupils who are at the early stages of reading were said to receive effective support from staff, who are experts at delivering the school’s chosen phonics programme.
Children with special educational needs were said to receive bespoke support, which enables teachers to help pupils in the same learning and wider opportunities as their peers.
Additionally, a wide range of activities, that make a strong contribution to the development of their talents and interests, were seen as a key cornerstone in their success.
Inspectors added: “Pupils understand the importance of staying healthy and have a thorough knowledge of how to keep themselves safe, including online. Pupils have a secure understanding of fundamental British values.
“The school’s personal development provision supports pupils to grow into responsible, well-developed citizens ready for life in modern Britain. The school ensures that pupils value different faiths and cultures.”
The arrangements for safeguarding were said to be effective.
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