Hensingham Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is an inadequate school Leaders at all levels, including governors, have failed to prevent a significant decline in pupils' progress and attainment since the previous inspection. Pupils do not receive an acceptable standard of education. Pupils do not make the progress that they should as they move through the school.

As a result, pupils' attainment in reading, writing and mathematics is persistently low. Leaders and governors have not ensured that disadvantaged pupils make the progress of which they are capable or that they attend school regularly. Leaders' use of the pupil premium funding is ineffective.

Governors' efforts to challenge leaders are under...mined because the headteacher does not provide them with clear information about pupils' progress. Leaders and governors have not addressed weaknesses in the quality of teaching. Leaders' and teachers' expectations of pupils' achievement are too low.

Teachers do not plan learning that matches pupils' needs. This impedes pupils' progress, particularly for the most able pupils. Leadership of provision for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) is poor.

These pupils make slow progress. Children make slow progress in the early years. Too few children are prepared for their learning in Year 1.

Teachers in the early years do not have a secure understanding of how young children learn. Leaders have not designed a curriculum that supports pupils in developing deep knowledge and understanding across a range of subjects. Some pupils' behaviour disrupts the learning of others because staff do not manage pupils' behaviour well.

Pupils' attendance, particularly that of disadvantaged pupils, is low and not improving. The school has the following strengths Safeguarding arrangements are effective. Leaders and staff give high priority to keeping pupils safe.

Staff receive regular updates on the latest information and guidance on child protection and safeguarding. Vulnerable pupils say that their nurture group sessions are helpful. They value time to talk about their feelings and learn how to cope when they feel distressed or angry.

Information about this school

Hensingham is smaller than the average-sized primary school. The majority of pupils are White British. There is a small minority of pupils who speak English as an additional language.

The proportion of pupils supported by the pupil premium is above average. The proportion of pupils with SEND is below average. The proportion of pupils with an education, health and care plan is above average.