Hardwick Green Primary Academy

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school Since her appointment in September 2018, the principal has provided strong and purposeful leadership. She sets high expectations for all aspects of school life, which are shared and understood by all. This is a rapidly improving school where staff morale is high.

Subject leaders are knowledgeable and enthusiastic. They have a good understanding of where practice is effective and what needs to be done to improve further. The quality of teaching across the school is good.

Teachers' secure subject knowledge, alongside consistent approaches to teaching and learning, is ensuring that current pupils make good progress from their starting points.... Leaders use firm procedures for tackling pupils' absence. While there is an improving picture of pupils' overall attendance rates, and a reduction in the number of pupils who are persistently absent from school, rates of attendance fall short of national averages.

Children in the early years settle quickly into their surroundings because of the strong relationships that are soon established. Occasionally, Nursery staff intervention in free- play activities does not move children's learning on as effectively as it could. This is particularly the case during outdoor activities.

Pupils' behaviour is good. Their movement around the school is orderly and well managed. In lessons, pupils conduct themselves well and demonstrate positive attitudes to their work, to each other and to adults.

Leaders' meticulous approach to monitoring the work of the school ensures that pupils' attainment in reading, writing and mathematics is improving strongly, particularly at the higher standard. Overall, current pupils' outcomes are improving. However, there are some remaining differences between the attainment of boys and girls.

These stem from previously weaker teaching and a weaker curriculum. They are most evident in pupils' writing outcomes, particularly in lower key stage 2. Leaders have begun the process of curriculum review.

They have a shared and exciting vision for its development that prioritises developing pupils' enquiry skills and extending pupils' vocabulary. It is due for implementation in September 2019. Pupils study a broad range of subjects, but activities that pupils complete are mainly concerned with the accumulation of knowledge, with fewer opportunities for pupils to acquire and improve their subject-specific skills.

This limits the proportion of pupils who have a deeper understanding in a range of subjects.

Information about this school

The school is larger than the average-sized primary school. An above average proportion of pupils have been identified with SEND.

A higher than average proportion of pupils are disadvantaged and are entitled to free school meals. The vast majority of pupils are of White British heritage. The school has increased its admission limit and is increasing the number of pupils who attend year on year.

The school is part of the Enquiry Learning Trust. The principal was appointed in September 2018. At the same time, two assistant principals were appointed to cover during the absence of the substantive vice-principal.