Hayfield Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Key findings

This is a good school, which has made improvements in key areas since the last inspection. The school's overall effectiveness is not outstanding because some minor discrepancies remain, both in the quality of pupils' achievement and the consistency of teaching.

Pupils achieve well throughout their time in school. They leave school at the end of Year 6 with attainment that is above average. Progress is slightly better in English than in mathematics, because there are fewer good opportunities for pupils to reinforce and extend their problem-solving and investigative skills in the subject.

Teaching is good overall, with some outstanding elements, such as lively pace and focused questions which pr...obe pupils' thinking. Good relationships between staff and pupils promote a purposeful climate for learning. Where teaching is occasionally satisfactory, methods do not fully engage pupils' attention and planning lacks the sharpness needed to ensure pupils are fully challenged.

Pupils behave well. Reception children possess a good range of vocabulary and this helps them forge trusting relationships with their peers and adults. Most pupils are keen to help each other and collaborate well in shared activities.

Pupils are polite and courteous to visitors. Pupils, and their parents and carers, feel that the school is a safe place in which to learn. The school works successfully to maintain attendance at above-average levels.

Leaders, under the expert and determined guidance of the headteacher, have strong aspirations for pupils' achievement. Over the last two years a combination of more robust monitoring systems and well-chosen curricular initiatives have raised the quality of teaching and pupils' attainment, especially in English. The quality of safeguarding policies and practices is a notable strength of the school's work.

Information about the school

Hayfield Primary is a little smaller than most primary schools. A very large majority of pupils are from White British backgrounds. The proportion of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals is low.

The percentage of disabled pupils and those who have special educational needs is average. The school provides for children in the Early Years Foundation Stage through one Reception class. The school meets the current government floor standard.

The school holds the Basic Skills Quality Mark award. A before- and after-school club (Hayfield Fun Club) operates on the school site. This is managed by an independent provider and is subject to a separate inspection.

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