Highfield Community Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Key Findings

This is a good school.

Leaders and managers at all levels, including the governing body, are effective. They have a clear understanding of the school's strengths and weaknesses and ensure that the correct priorities for improvement are relentlessly pursued. Leaders have forged strong partnerships with other local schools and with external agencies; these help to raise pupils' aspirations, self-esteem, confidence and improve the quality of their learning.

Children have a good start to their education in the Early Years Foundation Stage and there is a rising trend in their attainment by the end of the Reception Year. Taking account of pupils' typically well below average starting points on entry... to nursery, achievement for all groups of pupils, including those with special educational needs and those with disabilities, including those who have more complex needs, is good. Attainment in reading, writing and mathematics is broadly average overall by the end of Year 6.

In Key Stages 1 and 2, most pupils make good progress in reading, writing and mathematics because these basic skills are taught well in all classes. However, pupils do not always have enough opportunities to practise and extend their reading and speaking skills, and sometimes writing tasks for the more-able pupils are not always sufficiently demanding. Consequently, progress in these areas is not as always as strong as it is in mathematics.

Almost all teaching is good, with examples of outstanding practice. Teachers carefully plan lessons that meet the needs and abilities of pupils. They often use well-chosen resources to ensure that learning is made fun.

The rich curriculum adds depth and interest to pupils' learning and promotes their spiritual, moral, social and cultural development well. Overwhelmingly, pupils say they feel safe in the school; a view endorsed by almost all parents and carers. Behaviour is good, relationships are strong and pupils are polite and courteous towards each other and adults.

Pupils, parents and carers are confident that any rare incidents of bullying are dealt with quickly and effectively.

Information about the school

This is an average sized primary school. Almost all pupils are of White British heritage.

The proportion of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals is much higher than average. An above average proportion of pupils is assessed as having special educational needs and with disabilities, whilst the proportion that has a statement of special educational needs is average. The school meets the current floor standard, whereby the government sets the minimum expectations for attainment and progress.

Since the previous inspection, there have been significant changes in staff at all levels, including a 12-month period when the school was led by an acting headteacher and two acting assistant headteachers. A new headteacher was appointed in September 2010 and deputy headteacher in September 2011. The school holds Healthy School status and has achieved a number of awards, including the Inclusion Quality Mark, Sportsmark and Artsmark Silver.

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