Higham-on-the-Hill Church of England Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school.

Children have a good start to school in the Reception class. Most pupils achieve well in all classes because teaching is consistently good and, on occasions, outstanding. Pupils' progress in phonics (the links between letters and sounds) and reading is good and sometimes outstanding.

Behaviour is good and pupils feel safe because they regard school as one big, happy family. The headteacher has created a strong team spirit amongst staff. Previous weaknesses have been resolved and teaching and achievement have improved significantly as a result.

Governors are keen to help the school to improve. They use their individual expertise ...well to support staff. Regular visits ensure that they know how effectively the school is tackling its priorities.

It is not yet an outstanding school because : The quality and quantity of writing varies between classes. Boys' attainment in writing is not as good as that of the girls. Planning for children in Reception does not link indoor and outdoor learning skills very well.

Information about this school

The school is a lot smaller than the average-sized primary school but numbers are increasing. A small number of pupils from a nearby Missionary Centre regularly attend the school. They come from countries as far apart as the United States of America and Korea.

Most are at the early stages of learning to speak English. The school teaches children in the Early Years Foundation Stage (Reception) in a mixed–age class with Year 1 pupils. There are two other mixed-age classes.

Pupils in Year 4 are taught as a year group every morning then integrated in other classes. The proportion of ethnic minority pupils is well below average and few speak English as an additional language. Most of these speak English confidently.

Very few pupils are known to be eligible for the pupil premium, which is additional funding for children known to be eligible for free school meals, in local authority care, or with a parent in the armed services. The proportion of disabled pupils and those who have special educational needs supported through school action is average. The proportion who are supported at school action plus or who have a statement of special educational needs is well below average.

There are too few pupils tested at the end of Year 6 to reliably judge whether the school meets the government's current floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress. The school does not make use of any alternative provision for its pupils off site. Pupils frequently join or leave the school partway through their primary education.

The staff turbulence reported previously has ended but one teacher is away on maternity leave. A breakfast club, organised and managed privately, is available and there is a privately run pre-school every morning. These are not included in this inspection.