Hamilton Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is an outstanding school. Children in the Early Years Foundation Stage make outstanding progress because of excellent teaching, and are extremely well prepared for Year 1. Pupils' attainment in all subjects at the end of Year 6 has been significantly above average for the last five years.

The 2014 results were particularly high in mathematics, reading, writing and English grammar, spelling and punctuation. All groups of pupils, including the most able, disadvantaged pupils, disabled pupils and those who have special educational needs, make outstanding overall progress. Engaging topics and teachers' very good subject knowledge promote pupils' highly positive attitu...des to learning.

Teachers promote pupils' literacy skills particularly well, and reinforce them in different subjects. Pupils' work is thoroughly marked with clear guidance about how to make it even better. Occasionally pupils do not follow the advice given.

Pupils' behaviour is outstanding. They say they are proud of their school and feel very safe in it, and that someone is always available to help them. Their parents agree.

High attendance levels testify to pupils' enjoyment of learning. The headteacher, governors and all staff have focused successfully on keeping achievement and teaching at the highest levels. Subject leaders, together with governors, monitor and evaluate work in their areas very effectively.

Governors bring a wide range of helpful skills and experience to their work. They know the school in depth, and use this knowledge very successfully to drive improvements. The school is introducing a new and even better curriculum, with an emphasis on exciting topics and a spirit of enquiry.

The school promotes all aspects of pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development outstandingly well.

Information about this school

The school is larger than the average-sized primary school. The early years provision consists of two full-time Reception classes.

The school is part of a local cluster of six primary, junior and infant schools which share good practice and some training opportunities. The proportion of disabled students and those with special educational needs, at around 6%, is below the national average. The large majority of the pupils are of White British heritage.

The proportion of disadvantaged pupils supported by the pupil premium, at around 7%, is below the national average. This is additional government funding for pupils who are known to be eligible for free school meals or in the care of the local authority. The school meets the government's current floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress in reading, writing and mathematics by the end of Year 6.