Hodge Clough Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school. Leaders, including governors, are committed to ensuring that the school is inclusive and provides for all aspects of pupils' development.

Pupils make good progress, and by the end of Year 6 reach average standards in reading, writing and mathematics. Children get off to a good start in Reception and are well prepared for the next stage of their learning. Teaching is good because teachers and teaching assistants make lessons interesting and make sure that pupils understand what they are learning.

Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is promoted well. Consequently, pupils show respect and tolerance for each other's differing b...eliefs and are prepared well for life in modern Britain. Pupils behave well and feel safe because the school has a calm and purposeful learning atmosphere.

Pupils' attendance is improving because they say they enjoy school. They particularly appreciate the many sporting activities they are involved in. Parents rightly believe that their children are extremely safe at the school and that pupils behave well.

Governance is good. Governors are knowledgeable and take an active part in supporting and challenging school leaders. It is not yet an outstanding school because : Sometimes, activities that pupils are asked to complete in lessons are not set at the right level.

Feedback in pupils' books does not always provide clear guidance on how pupils can improve their work nor do pupils act upon the advice they are given. When engaged in work in lessons, other than English or mathematics, pupils do not always take care with their spelling, grammar and punctuation. The curriculum does not provide sufficient opportunities for pupils developing their key English and mathematical skills in all subjects.

Information about this school

This school is larger than the average-sized primary school and was opened in January 2011, on the amalgamation of Hodge Clough Junior and Hodge Clough Infant schools. The school operates on two sites. In the early years provision, there is a full-time Nursery class and two full-time Reception classes.

The proportion of disabled pupils and those who have special educational needs is below average. The proportion of disadvantaged pupils eligible for pupil premium funding (extra government money for pupils who are known to be eligible for free school meals and children who are looked after by the local authority) is broadly average. Most pupils are White British, although about one in five pupils comes from a range of multi-ethnic backgrounds.

The proportion of pupils who speak English as an additional language is below average and few of these are at the early stages of learning English. The school meets the government's current floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment in reading, writing and mathematics. .

The Scallywags before- and after-school club shares the school site. It is subject to a separate inspection and receives a separate report, which is available on the Ofsted website. The chair of governors is a National Leader of Governance.

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