Hopton Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school The outstanding provision identified at the previous inspection has not been maintained.

Since her appointment in 2017, the headteacher has taken decisive action to halt the decline in pupils' attainment and progress by strengthening teaching, learning and assessment. Over time, governors have not held leaders to account sufficiently well for the quality of education that the school provides. However, governance has improved and is good because : governors are supportive yet increasingly challenging.

Leaders have an accurate understanding of what pupils are capable of and the progress they make. Teachers have an accurate view of pupils' s...tarting points. They use this information to help pupils to catch up in their learning when needed.

Pupils' well-being lies at the heart of the school. Through staff training, leaders make sure that pupils, particularly those who are vulnerable, get the appropriate help and support they need to be ready for their learning. Unevenness in the quality of teaching, learning and assessment over time has led to a decline in outcomes at key stages 1 and 2.

However, because of the improved quality of teaching, current pupils are making better progress than before in reading, writing and mathematics. All teachers are responsible for developing subjects other than English and mathematics. They have started to assess pupils' achievement in subjects such as science, history and geography, but it is too early to see the full impact of their actions.

Most parents are extremely positive about recent developments. Nevertheless, a few parents remain frustrated with the historic decline in the quality of education and the effectiveness of communication between school and home. Teachers do not consistently move the most able pupils on in their learning quickly enough.

The pupils do not make the good and better progress they should to reach the higher standards of attainment in reading, writing and mathematics.

Information about this school

The school became an all-through primary in September 2014. The headteacher took up post in September 2017.

The school is smaller than most primary schools. Pupils are taught in mixed-age classes from Year 1 to Year 6. A small number of pupils come from minority ethnic backgrounds.

The proportion of pupils with SEND is below the national average. The percentage of disadvantaged pupils is below the national average. There are plans for the school to offer nursery provision from January 2019.