Preston Hedges Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils at this school are happy and confident.

They achieve very well and consistently meet or exceed the high expectations staff have of them. This is because of the high-quality teaching, curriculum and support in place. Pupils are kept safe by expertly trained and nurturing staff who meet their needs on an individual basis.

Pupils enjoy a wealth of enrichment activities that support them to develop their talents and interests. These include music lessons, the school radio station and newspaper and a range of sporting activities and clubs such as choir, football and crochet. Pupils support one another and make a difference to their community.

They take on r...oles such as play leaders or well-being and eco-ambassadors. They also take pride in being able to be a 'trailblazer' by raising money for local and national charities.

Pupils are very friendly and respectful towards each other, staff and visitors.

They move around the building safely and sensibly. Older pupils support those younger than them with considerable care and kindness by leading sports at breaktimes or helping with reading and well-being. Pupils are rewarded when they exhibit the school values.

They wear their values badges or 'golden ties' with pride.

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

The school offers an ambitious and extremely well-thought-through curriculum that exceeds the expectations of the national curriculum. Each subject has been meticulously designed so pupils' knowledge builds each year on the strong foundations laid in Reception.

For example, children learn to count to 10 and represent these numbers using objects and pictures. This early number work prepares children for more complex mathematical concepts such as fractions or decimal fractions later on. Similarly, in art, pupils revisit fundamental skills such as the use of line and tone through drawing and shading practice as they explore different artists each year.

Teachers are highly effective at helping pupils to learn the intended curriculum. This includes pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Teachers set tasks that enable pupils to talk about, practise and apply their new knowledge.

This ensures it becomes part of their long-term memory. When necessary, teachers adapt the curriculum or the way they deliver it so pupils' needs are met and they learn effectively. As a result, pupils with SEND are very successful.

Teachers check pupils' learning of current knowledge and knowledge learned over time. They correct misconceptions as they occur and address any gaps they identify.

The school ensures that there is a sharp focus on pupils' reading.

Many reading spaces in the school, including the 'reading bus' in the playground, demonstrate how much reading is prioritised. As a result, pupils enjoy reading and readily talk about the different types of books they like. From the very start children are taught to read with accuracy and fluency by expertly trained staff.

The school's systematic approach to reading informs pupils' writing, vocabulary acquisition and spelling very effectively. As a result, pupils are well prepared for secondary school with very high levels of success in literacy. Those pupils who need additional support are identified quickly and helped to catch up.

Behaviour is excellent. Pupils exhibit particularly positive attitudes to learning and towards each other. They engage thoughtfully with their work, and their conduct around the school is calm and orderly.

This is because staff have consistently high expectations and embed strong behaviour routines from the start in Reception.

This school has a very ambitious approach to pupils' wider development. It is as well considered and thought through as the academic curriculum.

The school ensures pupils are very well prepared for life in modern Britain. Pupils are taught about a range of religions, cultures, families and relationships. The school ensures it equips pupils with the knowledge to identify risks and help themselves stay safe both online and physically.

Pupils have an embedded and secure understanding of how fundamental British values and protected characteristics link to the school's own values.

School leaders, including members of the trust, ensure the school maintains a highly effective provision for all its pupils. They have a shared ambition for every pupil to achieve well at each stage.

School leaders are considerate of the workload and well-being of school staff, who are very happy. The school ensures parents are well informed about pupils' learning, progress and well-being. Leaders are continually developing and learning.

They seek advice and guidance from a range of agencies. This enables the school to be a beacon of best practice in many areas for other schools in the trust.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.