Hurst Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Main findings

Hurst Primary is a good school which has improved in many key areas since its last inspection.

Pupils enjoy coming to school, and parents and carers are pleased with what it offers them. One parent commented, 'My child is happy and secure at the school, which is a well-run and happy environment.' Another said, 'We have observed and experienced significant improvements at Hurst over the past few years.'

Good pastoral care and close partnerships with outside agencies mean that pupils feel safe at school and know that staff will help them if they have a problem. Pupils' spiritual, moral and social development is good, and throughout the school they behave well and show good social skills. Relat...ionships are good, and pupils are supportive of one another.

However, the school has few links with schools elsewhere in the country or abroad, and as a result, pupils' awareness of other cultures is limited. Pupils have a good understanding of how to be fit and healthy, and many represent the school in competitive sport. They enjoy their lessons and the creative opportunities available to them through the curriculum, and this was confirmed in their responses to the inspection questionnaire.

Since the last inspection, the school has improved attainment at the end of Key Stage 2 and the Early Years Foundation Stage, so that, by the time pupils leave, attainment is now consistently above average, and progress is good. Staff changes in Key Stage 1 and lower Key Stage 2 have meant that progress has been satisfactory here. The introduction of a new leadership structure and of a computerised tracking system have helped bring about improvement.

Year group leaders work with their colleagues to ensure consistency in teaching practice across each year. However, this means that the best practice is not always spread across the school, particularly in the marking of pupils' work and in teachers' planning to meet all the different needs of the pupils in their classes. New tracking systems have enabled the progress of individuals to be closely monitored.

As a result, the school has identified that a small number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities are not making rapid enough progress against their individual targets. A good, thorough programme of support both in and out of class has been set up to address this, and is beginning to have an impact. The headteacher and senior leaders have been successful in raising achievement in the school, and in improving the quality of teaching.

Thorough and effective systems for monitoring and evaluating the work of the school have been established, so that strengths and areas for development are clearly highlighted. School self-evaluation is realistic and accurate, and the school development plan focuses on the right areas for improvement. The governing body has a good understanding of its role and holds the school to account effectively.

They, and the school's leaders, have a clear insight into what needs to be done next to move the school forward. As a result, the school has a good capacity for further continuous improvement.

Information about the school

Hurst Primary is an above average-sized school serving a residential area of outer London.

The proportion of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals is low compared with the national average. The proportion who come from minority ethnic groups is below average, and very few speak English as an additional language. The proportion of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities is below the national average, and so is the proportion with a statement of special educational needs.

These needs relate mainly to behavioural difficulties or specific learning difficulties such as dyslexia. The Early Years Foundation Stage is provided in the school's Nursery and Reception classes. Before- and after-school care is offered on the school site, but this is run by a private provider and subject to a separate inspection.