Hopton Church of England Primary Academy

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school School leaders and governors acted quickly and decisively to address the issues raised at the previous inspection. Governors provide effective challenge and support for school leaders.

They are ambitious for the school and committed to its further improvement. Senior leaders have developed systematic, reliable procedures for checking and tracking pupils' progress. Staff morale is high.

Teachers are motivated by the senior leaders' enthusiasm to help every child achieve their best. Leaders have successfully improved the quality of teaching. As a result, pupils make better progress, and attainment at the end of Year 2 and Year 6 has risen.<...br/>
Pupils now achieve well across the school. The teaching of phonics in Years 1 and 2 is good, so pupils reach above-average standards. Teachers' good subject knowledge and careful planning ensure that pupils engage in their learning with enthusiasm.

In a few 'topic' lessons the pace and level of challenge does not fully meet the needs of the pupils. Pupils who have special educational needs and/or disabilities make good progress because : of the effective support they receive. Pupils behave well because that is what is expected of them at all times.

There is a shared understanding that the school community is caring and respectful to all. Relationships between pupils and teachers are good. Pupils enjoy school and want to do well.

Pupils have a clear understanding of what it means to be a good citizen. They speak knowledgeably of fundamental British values and appreciate living in a multicultural society. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is a strength of the school.

Children in the early years get a good start to their education. Teaching and leadership are good, which results in children making good progress. In some classes, the most able disadvantaged pupils are given too few opportunities to deepen their mathematical understanding.

Inconsistent handwriting hampers the fluency and presentation of some pupils' written work. When writing, not all pupils use grammar, spelling and punctuation with sufficient accuracy.

Information about this school

The school meets requirements on the publication of specified information on its website.

The school is smaller than the average primary school. Most pupils are White British. Early years provision is provided in one full-time Reception class.

The proportion of disadvantaged pupils supported by the pupil premium is below the national average. The proportion of pupils who have special education needs and/or disabilities is slightly above the national average. The proportion of pupils supported with a statement of special educational needs is in line with the national average.

The school meets the government's current floor standards, which are the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress in reading, writing and mathematics by the end of Year 6. The school runs a breakfast club and a range of after-school clubs. For the purposes of professional development, including monitoring and evaluation activities, the school works in partnership with another local primary school and the local authority.