Waltham Holy Cross Primary Academy

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils proudly and happily attend this school. They know and live up to the school rules of, 'be kind, stay safe and work hard.' Pupils understand that following the school's values helps create a positive environment, where all can thrive.

This is evi-dent in the caring attitudes and good manners that pupils display.All staff have high expectations for pupils. Pupils behave exceptionally well.

They display a highly positive attitude towards their learning. They produce high-quality work.

Pupils learn that education is important and that regular school attendance has many benefits, such as getting a good job and supporting their overall well-being.

T...he school promotes diversity and encourages pupils to show compassion and kindness to others. Pupils understand that everyone is unique and that this should be celebrated. Additionally, pupils learn about disabilities and how to support others.

This knowledge helps to create a happy and inclusive environment for everyone in the school.

Pupils learn about safety. They are clear about the dangers of being online and how to protect themselves.

They also learn about other ways to keep safe, such as when crossing the road and fire safety.

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

Historically, the school has been through a period of instability. However, it is now part of a trust and has a new leadership team.

The school has made changes that have had a positive impact for pupils, such as a more consistent approach to teach-ing across all subjects. The school has created a well-considered and ambitious cur-riculum. This begins in the early years, where children learn to communicate confi-dently and develop their language skills.

This prepares them well for the next stage in their learning and beyond.Teachers are well-trained and knowledgeable about the subjects they teach. They provide clear and precise instruction to pupils.

The school has prioritised English and mathematics to ensure pupils have stronger knowledge in these subjects, as this will support their learning across the curriculum. Teachers check pupils' understanding regularly. The school provides timely and effective support to make sure that pupils do not fall behind.

As a result, pupils learn well in many subjects.In a few subjects, pupils achieve less well. This is due to a legacy of less effective curriculum planning being in place in these subjects; a less robust approach to the checking of effective teaching; and lower pupil expectations.

The school has taken effective action to address these issues. There are now effective curriculum plans in place in these subjects. They are in the early stages of being implemented.

While gaps in pupils' knowledge in these subjects are lessening, further adaptations to the curriculum are needed to do so more rapidly.The school prioritises reading. Children in the Nursery learn basic sounds.

They also enjoy learning songs and rhymes. This helps lay the foundations needed to start reading. Children in Reception learn phonics from the very start.

Teachers check pu-pils' progress with reading. The school then provides effective support to help pupils keep up if they find reading difficult. This includes older pupils who find reading tricky.

Staff frequently read with the pupils, where they choose books that match pupils' phonics knowledge. This helps pupils to become confident and fluent readers.The school identifies the needs of pupils with special educational needs and/or disa-bilities (SEND) quickly and accurately.

The school provides teachers with precise guidance about what these pupils need. Using the school's guidance, teachers ar-range effective support and adapt activities when needed. This ensures pupils with SEND reach their learning goals.

Pupils show exceptional behaviour and are highly motivated. They are engaged and focused during lessons. They interact positively with each other during playtimes.

Pupils can confidently resolve any conflicts independently but ask for help from friends or adults when they need to. Pupils display good manners and possess self-confidence. They behave calmly and listen attentively to others.

They do this even when alone, as they understand its importance.The school provides many interesting trips and visitors. These help pupils to learn about the wider world.

For example, representatives from different faiths help pupils learn more about different religions in modern British society. Pupils enjoy taking on the extra roles and responsibilities on offer at the school. This allows them to help others and develop their leadership skills.

Leaders, the trust, and the governors work together highly effectively. Despite sig-nificant challenges with the school building, school improvement has been swift and effective. Notably in the strategic oversight of the school.

This is reflected in the consistent expectations of: quality teaching and staff subject knowledge; pupils' ex-cellent behaviours; their quality of work and improving outcomes; and positive at-tendance rates. The school and the trust collaborate well. Staff appreciate how they can develop their skills, learn from others in the trust and further their careers.

They feel very positive about their work at the school.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

• After a period of change, the school curriculum is now well planned and delivered effectively.

However, this was not always the case. Pupils have gaps in their knowledge in a few subjects as a result. The school needs to continue its work in addressing gaps in pupils' knowledge by adapting further the curriculum to ensure that pupils achieve well in all subjects.

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