Hawthorn Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school Under the skilled leadership of the headteacher, ably supported by the acting deputy headteacher, the whole-school community has worked together to provide the high-quality academic and creative opportunities and experiences for pupils.

Leaders' effective evaluation ensures that they know the school inside out. As a result, school development planning is incisive, detailed and actions are checked regularly to ensure that the impact has been positive. Further development planning work is needed for the early years.

Leaders have an accurate view of the school and improvement planning is generally incisive and detailed. The analysis of teach...ing and learning in the early years is not as precise, however. The governing body provides effective challenge and support for the school, including in safeguarding arrangements.

Governors know the school well and have plans to ensure that they become even more effective in their role. Children in the early years make a good start in their learning. The proportion reaching a good level of development at the end of their Reception year is now broadly average.

The very positive school ethos is underpinned by high levels of respect for people of all faiths and cultures. Pupils have a clear understanding of British values. The school is characterised by tolerance and acceptance of others.

Current pupils, including disadvantaged pupils, are making good progress from their individual starting points. Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) also make secure progress as a result of effective support. Teachers and teaching assistants alike are skilled at supporting pupils' learning.

Ongoing strategies to further improve the quality of teaching are beginning to bear fruit, but are not yet consistently applied across school. Teachers generally match work well to pupils' varying abilities. Occasionally, the work set does not take full account of ongoing assessment and can be too easy or too hard.

This includes the additional resource centre. The well-planned curriculum ensures that pupils are enthusiastic and engaged in their learning. Musical instrument playing is an integral part of the school's fabric and identity.

Pupils' personal development and welfare is good. The respect and care pupils have for each other is clearly visible. Pupils display excellent manners and love being at school.

Information about this school

The school is slightly smaller than the average-sized primary school. The proportions of pupils from minority ethnic groups and those who speak English as an additional language are well above national averages. The proportion of pupils who are known to be eligible for support from pupil premium funding and the proportion of pupils with SEND are above average.

The headteacher has been in post for just over a year. Several of the teaching staff are currently on maternity leave, including both assistant headteachers. The school has an additional resource centre (ARC) for up to 12 pupils with emotional, social or behavioural needs.