Hayes School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Hayes School is an encouraging and aspirational place where pupils thrive. Pupils embody the school's vision of 'be all you can be'.

They strive to do their best. Pupils' happy and welcoming attitudes enhance the positive atmosphere. Pupils are highly valued.

Their education and well-being lie at the heart of the work the school carries out.

Pupils show great enthusiasm for their learning. The school removes barriers to learning for all pupils, including disadvantaged pupils and those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).

They benefit from the ambitious curriculum and staff expertise. As a result, pupils achieve exceptionally wel...l.

Pupils forge strong relationships with the staff and with each other.

This helps them to feel safe and secure. They are encouraged to talk about any of their worries and are offered the support they need to engage positively in school life. Pupils are friendly and articulate.

Behaviour across the school is excellent.

Pupil leaders, who have various roles in school, are excellent role models. Their leadership impacts the school's culture.

For example, the work of pupil 'reading ambassadors' has raised the profile of reading across the school.

What does the school do well and what does it need to do better?

Pupils achieve extremely well in many aspects of the school's curriculum. The curriculum is ambitious, clear and coherent.

It exceeds the expectations of the national curriculum. The school has carefully considered pupils' low starting points. It regularly reviews and changes the curriculum to ensure it contains consistently high-quality content relevant to pupils.

It has used pupil voice as part of this process. As a consequence of improvements to the curriculum, pupils achieve extremely well in most areas of the recently published outcomes.

The school's work to support disadvantaged pupils is exceptional.

Staff go to great lengths to meet these pupils' needs and to ensure they are fully involved in all aspects of school life. Pupils with SEND have their needs identified quickly. The school takes its responsibility to advocate for these pupils seriously.

As a result, pupils with SEND, and those who are disadvantaged, typically flourish during their time at the school.

Many staff in the early years are experts in child development and know children's interests and needs. They help children to learn important routines.

As a result, children listen carefully to adults' instructions. This helps children keep safe, share with one another and learn more. Staff make sure that every child has an opportunity to practise key skills, for example offering many different ways to name and recognise numbers.

Staff quickly identify errors and help children to catch up promptly.

The school places a high priority on reading. It has a well-established and systematic approach to the teaching of early reading.

Pupils display confidence in their ability to decode and blend unknown words. Staff quickly identify pupils who fall behind. They give precise support to help them catch up and keep up.

In the early years, children learn a rich range of stories, rhymes and songs. This helps to develop a love of reading.

Pupils' behaviour is exemplary.

Staff establish very clear and consistent routines, which pupils follow. Pupils are highly engaged in learning. They also support and help one another.

Pupils are proud to be part of the school community. Pupils are confident staff will resolve any issues that arise.

The school provides a range of clubs and activities through its 'Friday' enrichment programme.

In music, pupils develop their skills and have many opportunities to perform in front of audiences. Pupils are very appreciative of the range of opportunities available to them, in particular, they talk with enthusiasm about residential visits. Pupils are proud of the work they do.

The knowledge pupils should have about different religions and cultures is not planned in enough detail. Pupils do not yet have a sound understanding of different faiths and cultures. However, they do have an age-appropriate understanding of fundamental British values.

The school teaches pupils how to keep healthy and safe. This includes staying safe when working online.

There is a strong, united vision shared across the school.

Leaders at all levels are deeply committed to providing a high-quality education for all pupils. Their strategic focus on continuous improvement is evident in all areas. Staff are appreciated, valued and supported.

Governors play an active role in championing the school's vision and maintaining high standards. They continually strive to provide an excellent education to every pupil who attends Hayes School.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

• The knowledge pupils need to know and remember about some religions and cultures is not planned clearly enough. As a result, pupils do not yet have a sound understanding of different faiths and cultures. The school should review its planning to create more opportunities for pupils to understand other religions and cultures so they have a greater understanding of multicultural Britain.

Also at this postcode