High Hesket CofE School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is an outstanding school.

High Hesket inspires pupils to thrive in their personal development and academic achievement. Children get off to a flying start in the Early Years. The classrooms and outdoor areas provide a highly stimulating environment where pupils develop a love of learning.

By the time they leave Year 6, most pupils reach standards that are well above the national average in reading, writing and mathematics. They are extremely well prepared for the next stage in their education. Throughout their time at school, pupils achieve well.

The proportions making expected and better than expected progress are higher than those found nationa...lly. However, sometimes pupils do not take as much notice as they could of their teachers' marking comments. Most disabled pupils and those with special educational needs usually make progress at rates similar to their peers.

Outstanding teaching stimulates and supports pupils. Teachers and teaching assistants ensure that pupils are enthused and excited by wide-ranging activities. Pupils' behaviour is exemplary.

From an early age, they enjoy coming to school and are very keen to learn. This is reflected in above average attendance. Pupils say they feel very safe in school and learn how to keep safe in other environments.

Pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is outstanding. They show a great deal of understanding and respect for those who have different beliefs to their own. The school is exceptionally well led by the headteacher and assistant headteacher.

All staff share their vision for bringing out the full potential of all pupils. Links with parents are very strong. They are very appreciative of the highly personalised attention their children receive.

All staff, including leaders, managers and the governing body, work extremely well as a team. Their successful actions have led to improvements in the quality of teaching and pupils' achievements.

Information about this school

High Hesket is smaller than the average-sized primary school.

The proportion of disadvantaged pupils and therefore supported by the pupil premium is much lower than that found nationally. (The pupil premium is additional government funding for pupils known to be eligible for free school meals and children who are looked after by the local authority.) The proportion of pupils who have special educational needs supported through school action is lower than that found nationally.

The proportion of pupils supported at school action plus or with a statement of special educational needs is lower than that found nationally. Almost all pupils are White British. Some pupils are taught in mixed-age classes.

The headteacher is a Local Leader in Education. High Hesket is a Leadership Development School and used by the National College for Leadership of Schools and Children's Services to develop leaders for the future. Since the previous inspection there have been some key changes in staffing.

A new assistant headteacher, an Early Years manager and a numeracy co-ordinator have been appointed within the last two years. High Hesket holds Fairtrade status and has Healthy Schools accreditation. The school meets the government's current floor standards, which are the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress.