Our Lady of Hartley Catholic Primary School, Hartley, Longfield

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils are immensely proud to belong to this wonderful school.

The school values permeate through all aspects of pupils' learning, placing them at the centre of school life. Pupils demonstrate a genuine love for learning. They are confident and happy individuals who feel cared for and nurtured by all staff.

The school consistently strives for excellence. Pupils' success and achievements are rooted in the high-quality curriculum on offer. An inclusive learning environment enables all pupils to access the immersive curriculum.

Behaviour throughout the school is exemplary. Pupils are focused, engaged and actively contribute to lessons. From early years, children... are taught to work together collaboratively.

Pupils value and respect their peers' ideas and opinions. Staff consistently model positive working relationships. Pupils are happy, feel safe in school and are confident adults will listen and support them if they have any worries.

Pupils' contribution to making a difference in their school community is significant. The 'playground team' work with leaders to create a positive exciting outdoor environment. Pupils are helped to form secure friendships through the school's 'Five-Minute Friend' award that helps pupils develop positive interactions with their peers.

Subject ambassadors, the school council and 'mini vinnies' encourage their classmates to be active citizens. This includes their leadership of charitable projects such as supporting their twin school in Ghana.

What does the school do well and what does it need to do better?

The school's curriculum is highly ambitious, interesting and engaging for pupils.

It has been designed to ensure learning logically builds over time from Reception to the end of Year 6. Each pupil is given the support they need to learn and achieve highly, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). In all areas of learning, leaders have precisely considered and then identified the important knowledge and skills that pupils need to learn and remember.

Children in Reception make a very strong start to their education, building secure foundations for future success. They manage themselves exceptionally well because of the clear routines that are in place. There is a high focus on the development of language and communication.

Children enjoy using the new vocabulary they are learning, both with staff and each other, to confidently give their views about the world around them.

Teachers use their excellent subject knowledge to teach with flair and confidence. They know exactly what pupils have learned before to then carefully select what pupils should learn next.

Across the school, pupils build their knowledge extremely well. They can remember what they have learned with ease and are eager to share this. This includes the very youngest children who are keen to show their perseverance and tenacity in acquiring new skills.

Teachers select a variety of ways to check that any new learning is secure and to address where pupils may have gaps in their understanding or require additional support. Consequently, pupils of all ages use and apply their knowledge daily and achieve highly in the national end of key stage tests.

Reading is central to all elements of the curriculum.

Pupils take great pleasure in listening to stories that have been chosen to inspire and to appeal to their interests. Staff are experts in teaching reading. They ensure that children start to learn phonics as soon as they start in the Reception Year.

Children listen intently, regularly apply and practice their reading knowledge skills. Consequently, they read fluently and with confidence.

Support for pupils with SEND is highly effective.

The school identifies pupils' needs quickly and puts appropriate, effectual support in place. Skilled staff ensure that pupils with SEND work towards the school's curriculum goals through a range of adaptations. They, like their peers, acquire the knowledge they need to learn and achieve well.

Pupils eagerly attend school regularly and their attitudes to learning are exceptional. They are proud of the work that they are doing and keenly share what they have learned. Pupils learn how to be kind and show forgiveness to one another.

Teachers invest in helping children to understand how their actions affect others. As they move through school, pupils behave in line with the school's caring values. This is demonstrated by the mature attitudes that pupils have and the compassion that they show to one another.

The school's offer for pupils' personal development is expertly designed. They benefit from a wide range of experiences, for example through trips out and visitors into school. This helps them to understand their place in society and gives them opportunities to become courageous and thoughtful citizens.

Pupils take their responsibilities seriously and they are proud to represent the school in a range of ways. Pupils also appreciate the support that they can get for their well-being, recognising what actions they need to take to maintain their mental and physical health.

The school is passionate about providing the best educational experience for all pupils.

Staff are fully equipped to carry out their roles effectively. Staff are immensely proud to work at this school and the teaching and support they give to the school community.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

Also at this postcode