Home Farm Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is an outstanding school The leadership of the headteacher and the senior leaders in the school is outstanding.

Systems to monitor and improve the quality of teaching are exceptionally well developed and highly effective. This has ensured that the school has continued to improve since the last inspection. Leaders at all levels model the school's strong ethos of high expectations and aspirations.

As a result, pupils participate in their learning with enthusiasm and a determination to challenge themselves and each other. Pupils' attainment in reading, writing and mathematics continues to be significantly above the national average at key stages 1 and 2. The... presentation of pupils' work does not showcase the high quality of its content.

From different starting points, disadvantaged pupils and those who have special educational needs and/or disabilities make at least good and often outstanding progress. As a result, gaps in their attainment in relation to pupils nationally continue to close. Teaching is consistently good and much is outstanding.

Pupils are encouraged to reflect on their learning through effective questioning. Teachers plan numerous opportunities for pupils to share their ideas, which they do very effectively. The quality of the debate that pupils have with each other is impressive.

Pupils' behaviour is exemplary. They are polite, courteous and very proud of their school. They work and play well together and are keen to support each other in lessons and during their playtimes.

Their positive attitudes to learning are making a significant contribution to outstanding achievement throughout the school. Children in the early years have a great start to their school life. The exciting and nurturing environment has ensured that children make at least good progress in all areas of learning.

As a consequence, the proportion of children who reach a good level of development at the end of the Reception Year has been above the national average for several years. The school's curriculum includes a wide range of exciting opportunities that pupils eagerly respond to. Exciting themes, visits and experiences are used to develop pupils' basic skills in English and mathematics across a wide variety of other subjects and to a high standard.

Pupils say they feel safe and enjoy coming to school, and that the adults in the school take good care of them. Parents are overwhelmingly supportive of the school and the great lengths everyone in the school goes to, to ensure that their children achieve well.

Information about this school

Home Farm is an average-sized primary school whose pupils come from East Colchester.

The school is oversubscribed. The vast majority of pupils are of White British heritage and there are very few pupils who speak English as an additional language. The proportion of pupils supported by the additional pupil premium funding is below the national average.

The pupil premium is additional government funding to support the progress of pupils eligible for free school meals or children looked after. The proportion of pupils who have special educational needs and/or disabilities is broadly in line with the national average. The proportion of those pupils who have a statement of special educational needs or an education, health and care plan is below the national average.

The school meets the government's current floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress at the end of key stage 2. The schools runs its own breakfast club, 'Hungry bites', which is available to any pupil. The school has achieved many awards for a variety of aspects of its work, including the International Schools Award, Enhanced Healthy Schools Award, RHS Colchester in Bloom Award and the Schools Mark from St John Ambulance.