Hilton Primary Academy

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is an outstanding school The principal and her team are committed to meeting the needs of pupils and families. They have established a school that lies at the heart of the community.

Their actions help pupils to make outstanding progress from their starting points. All staff show a commitment to providing the highest standards of care and support. They know their pupils exceptionally well, enabling them to match teaching and additional support to pupils' needs effectively.

Senior leaders acted decisively to address a dip in outcomes in 2016. They invited external scrutiny and boldly addressed weaker teaching. Their actions led to significant improvement i...n 2017, with current pupils now making outstanding progress.

Senior leaders work closely with senior colleagues from the Northern Education Trust to check standards, develop leadership and support ongoing improvement. Teachers help pupils to develop strong and purposeful attitudes to learning through their creative planning and exciting teaching. Senior leaders work closely with the entire teaching team to develop a stimulating curriculum.

Core learning is complemented by experiences, trips and visits that make learning meaningful and enjoyable. Governors are passionate in their commitment to the school's community ethos. They provide effective support and closely check key aspects of performance.

The arrangements for safeguarding pupils are extremely effective. The actions of leaders and teachers significantly enhance the well-being of children and families. High-quality provision in the early years, including the innovative provision for two-year-old children, enables children to make outstanding progress in their learning and development.

Through assemblies, the wider curriculum and extensive charitable activities, the school promotes pupils' strong spiritual, moral, social and cultural development in distinctive ways. Although pupils are making outstanding progress, in some year groups the proportions of pupils working at greater depths of understanding remain below that seen nationally. Leaders work alongside the family support worker and attendance officer to address many of the barriers to learning that children and families face.

Although their actions are beginning to influence improvements in attendance, overall absence remains too high.

Information about this school

Hilton Primary Academy is much larger than the average-sized primary school. The majority of pupils come from White British backgrounds.

The proportion of pupils from minority ethnic groups is in line with that seen nationally and has increased over time. The proportion of pupils who speak English as an additional language is average and has increased in recent years. The proportion of pupils known to be eligible for pupil premium funding is well-above average and includes nearly two thirds of pupils.

The proportion of pupils who have SEN and/or disabilities is well-above average. The school meets the government's current floor standards, which are the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress. In February 2015, the school was designated a national support school by the Department for Education, and has provided leadership support to other schools.