Highworth Combined School and Nursery

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school Pupils' achievement, from their different starting points, is good. Effective support is given to disabled pupils or those with special educational needs, those at the early stages of learning English and pupils eligible for the pupil premium funding. Therefore these pupils also make good progress.

Teaching is good across all year groups. As a result, pupils make good progress in lessons. Teachers make lessons interesting and encourage all pupils to give of their best.

Pupils' behaviour is outstanding. They greatly enjoy coming to Highworth and are extremely keen to learn. They say they feel very safe and are well looked after throughout ...the school day.

Children make good progress in the early years provision because of good teaching and stimulating surroundings. The headteacher has generated an environment where good teaching and learning flourish. The headteacher and senior leaders are a strong team who have a clear vision for the school's future.

The staff are a skilled and committed team, who work well to provide a high level of care and support for all pupils. Governors know Highworth well and challenge the school where appropriate, which results in ongoing improvement. Good promotion of pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development means all individuals feel valued.

Pupils thrive in a diverse and supportive learning community. It is not yet an outstanding school because: Pupils' achievement in writing is not as strong as in reading and mathematics. The quality of teaching does not yet result in enough pupils making outstanding progress.

Pupils' knowledge and understanding of phonics (the sounds that letters make) is not always secure.

Information about this school

Highworth is larger than the average-sized primary school. Pupils are taught in two parallel classes in each year group.

Pupils come from a range of different minority ethnic backgrounds. The majority come from White British and Pakistani backgrounds. The proportion of pupils who speak English as an additional language is above average.

The proportion of disabled pupils and those who have special educational needs supported through school action is above average. The proportion of pupils supported at school action plus or with a statement of special educational needs is also above average. The proportion of pupils eligible for the pupil premium is slightly below average.

This additional government funding is to support pupils who are known to be eligible for free school meals, or those children who are looked after by the local authority. The school meets the government's current floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for children's progress and attainment in English and mathematics at the end of Year 6. The school has a specialised resource unit which caters for pupils with hearing impairment.

The early years provision consists of a part time Nursery and full time Reception classes. No pupils are educated off site in other institutions or alternative placements. The breakfast and after-school clubs are managed separately and were not included in this inspection.

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