Sedgefield Hardwick Primary Academy

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is an outstanding school An inspirational headteacher leads the school. She has exceedingly high expectations of herself, her staff and her pupils.

The headteacher, together with the deputy and assistant headteachers, embodies the school's mission to instil, inspire and innovate. Governance is exceptionally strong and very professional. Governors challenge leaders with integrity and support them with vigour.

Leaders have an accurate understanding of the school's effectiveness. Their plans to develop the school further are precise and informed. Subject leadership is strong and developing.

Pupils make outstanding progress from their individual star...ting points in all three key stages. The proportion of children who reach a good level of development at the end of the early years is well above the national average and increasing year-on-year. In 2017, every pupil reached the standard in the Year 1 check of phonics knowledge and skills.

More pupils reach and exceed the expected standards in reading, writing and mathematics at the end of key stages 1 and 2 than nationally. Leaders spend the additional government funding for disadvantaged pupils and pupils who have special educational needs and/or disabilities very wisely to ensure that pupils make the progress of which they are capable. Teachers know their pupils well.

They assess pupils' skills and abilities constantly by asking insightful questions. Teachers provide work that enables pupils of all abilities to make rapid and sustained progress. Teaching assistants carry out their duties with aplomb.

These professionals have a deep understanding of individual pupils' strengths and areas that require further development. The pupils are wonderful ambassadors for their school. Their pride in the school shines brightly in all that they do.

Pupils' behaviour is exemplary. They take on roles of responsibility willingly and carry them out enthusiastically. They have developed a thirst for knowledge and a determination to succeed.

The school's early years provision is exceptional. Teachers and teaching assistants enable children to be inquisitive and independent learners. Children are prepared extremely well to meet the demands of Year 1.

Information about this school

The school meets requirements on the publication of specified information on its website. Although the school admits two-year-olds, there were none on roll at the time of the inspection. The school met the government's minimum floor standards for primary schools in 2017.

The school is smaller than an average-sized primary school. The proportion of disadvantaged pupils, those eligible for support through pupil premium funding, is below average. The overwhelming majority of pupils are of White British heritage.

The proportion of pupils who have special educational needs and/or disabilities is below the national average. Children in the early years attend full-time provision in the Reception classes and part-time provision in the Nursery class. The school runs its own breakfast club and after-school provision.