Holy Trinity CofE Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils are delighted to be back at school with their friends after many of the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions have been lifted. They are happy and feel safe at this rapidly improving school.

Staff treat pupils fairly. Incidents of bullying are rare. Leaders respond swiftly to any bullying concerns.

Discrimination and derogatory language are not tolerated.

Leaders make sure learning is carefully planned. This allows pupils to achieve increasingly well academically and develop personally.

Pupils enjoy listening to their teachers read stories and reading books. Some younger pupils are relearning school routines due to the pandemic and sometimes take lon...ger to settle in lessons. Teachers support these pupils through the social and emotional aspects of the curriculum.

Activities like after-school clubs and school trips have started again. These help pupils develop their wider interests and grow in confidence.

Leaders have high expectations for pupils' behaviour and conduct.

Pupils are proud of their school. They take ownership of the school's rules and know what is expected of them.

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

Leaders are ambitious for all pupils and want them to do well.

Leaders make sure that teachers receive the training they need to develop their expertise. Subject leaders know their subjects well. They provide good support so that teachers know what to teach and when to teach it.

Teachers check pupils' understanding and help them to improve their work.

Parents are extremely positive about how their children have been supported during their early days at school. Leaders have made sure that the new curriculum in the early years is broad and carefully sequenced.

Leaders have not yet had a chance to check how well this has been put into practice. Teachers have established clear routines, and children know what is expected of them. They enjoy their daily phonics lesson and develop confidence when sounding out words with Ed the dog puppet.

Learning comes to life for children when they instruct the 'Bee Bot' robot to move. They develop an understanding of the 'same' and 'different' in mathematics when sorting leaves. Children use role play to develop their imagination.

Staff work in partnership with parents and give them the information they need. Teachers now have the knowledge needed to teach mathematics well. This means they are more confident.

Pupils develop a good understanding of problem-solving, reasoning and how to apply their numeracy skills. The reading curriculum is well planned. Teachers have the reading resources they need to teach and assess reading well.

However, some pupils have fallen behind in their reading due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Pupils enjoy presenting new learning in different ways. For example, pupils in Year 5 enjoy using knowledge from a recent field trip to Coombe Abbey in their geography lesson.

Subject knowledge in mathematics, design technology and science is logically planned, which helps children to learn well. Teachers plan, teach and assess these subjects well. Finished products demonstrate the design and technology skills and knowledge acquired over time.

In science, pupils use technical vocabulary to explain what they have learned. For example, pupils in Year 6 learn about the eye and the function of the retina and cornea. Teachers have received training to develop their expertise in geography and art.

Revised plans for these subjects have recently been introduced.

This is an inclusive school. Disadvantaged pupils and those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are well supported.

They now attend school regularly and arrive at school on time. Pupils who speak English as an additional language, particularly those who are new to school, are well supported. Leaders and staff adapt curriculum plans where necessary.

External agencies provide support to those pupils who need it.

Pupils enter school in an orderly manner. They are greeted by their teachers and calmly settle into class ready to learn.

Pupils now attend school regularly and are punctual to lessons. They learn about staying healthy, the importance of physical activity and healthy eating. Pupils enjoy physical education lessons and having 'proper rugby coaches'.

They enjoy learning to swim in the school swimming pool. They are given meaningful opportunities to contribute positively to school life. Older pupils learn how to debate issues and ideas in a considered way at the debate club.

Governors have a good understanding of the school's work and hold the headteacher to account for the performance of the school.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

Leaders make sure that staff attend regular safeguarding training.

Staff are alert to and respond well to concerns, including the risk of child sexual harassment and radicalisation. . Pupils in need of additional support receive timely help from the family support team in school or external agencies when necessary.

All pupils regularly learn about healthy relationships, online safety and how to keep themselves safe. Leaders ensure the necessary safeguarding checks are undertaken before staff are appointed. Parents say that their children are safe in school and well cared for.

What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

• Some curriculum plans have only recently been revised. Leaders are not in a position to say how successful they are. Leaders should now support subject leaders to review their implementation and evaluate the impact of recent curriculum developments.

• Some pupils who have fallen behind in their reading due to the COVID-19 pandemic need to make rapid progress to catch up with their peers. Reading interventions need to be targeted to individual pupils to prevent the gaps widening. Leaders should make sure that those pupils who have fallen behind in their reading during the pandemic receive the focused support they need to catch up quickly.

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