Heworth Church of England Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Key Findings

Heworth is a good school. Pupils achieve well in a safe, nurturing environment where they have confidence that adults will take care of them. The school's strong family ethos permeates school life and is a significant factor in enhancing pupils' outstanding spiritual, moral, social and cultural development.

Overall effectiveness is good rather than outstanding because while teaching is good, some satisfactory features prevent it from being outstanding. Children are provided with a good start in the Early Years Foundation Stage. Reading at the end of Key Stage 1 is above average.

By the end of Year 6 overall attainment is above average representing good achievement. Data are well used to monito...r pupils' progress. They show pupils making better than expected levels of progress.

Intervention strategies enable disabled pupils and those with special educational needs to make similar levels of progress as those of their peers. The quality of teaching is good overall. Pupils make the best progress where pace is brisk.

Teachers provide good feedback during lessons. Marking in English is thorough and informative, that in mathematics less so. Very little reference is made to the quality of presentation.

A good curriculum provides many first-hand learning experiences. Pupils feel safe. Behaviour in and around school is good.

However, occasionally pupils are slow to respond to teachers' instructions. Pupils of all backgrounds show respect for, and interest in, other cultures and customs. Attendance is above average.

Leaders and managers, including members of the governing body, monitor the work of the school and plan effectively. Their leadership of teaching and management of performance is good. School self-evaluation is accurate.

As a result, the priorities in the school development-plan focus on the most important areas for improvement. Parents and carers hold the school in high regard.

Information about the school

Heworth is smaller than the average-sized primary school.

The overwhelming majority of pupils are of White British heritage. A very small number is from minority ethnic groups. Almost all pupils' first language is English.

The proportion of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals is below the national average as is the number of disabled pupils and those who have special educational needs. A significant number of pupils arrive and leave at different times during the school year. The school has achieved a number of awards including Healthy School status, Activemark, Artsmark (gold) and Sing Up! (gold).

The school meets the government's current floor standard which set the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress. Since the previous inspection there have been a number of staff changes including the appointment of a new headteacher. The school operates a before- and after-school club for its pupils.

Inspection grades: 1 is outstanding, 2 is good, 3 is satisfactory and 4 is inadequate Please turn to the glossary for a description of the grades and inspection terms