Homerswood Primary and Nursery School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school The school is well led and managed.

Following a period of turbulence due to extended staff absence, leaders are ensuring that there have been rapid improvements in the current year in both teaching and outcomes for pupils. Leaders have revised the school's approaches to the teaching of reading, writing and mathematics. These are proving effective in developing pupils' knowledge, understanding and skills systematically.

Consequently, pupils' progress in English and mathematics is now good after a dip in attainment in 2018. Improvements in the curriculum are well considered and have been managed effectively by middle leaders. However, middl...e leaders play too small a role in sharing good practice across the school to maintain and build on recent improvements in provision.

Teachers know their pupils well and make learning fun. They sometimes do not extend the learning of the most able more quickly when they have grasped a skill or concept. Children in the early years settle quickly into school life.

They are taught well and most make good progress, especially in the Reception class where provision is particularly strong. Parents and carers are overwhelmingly positive about the school and its leadership. Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) receive good support from teachers and teaching assistants.

They learn well and make strong progress from their various starting points. Despite recent improvements that are well led by a new 'pupil premium champion', the progress of disadvantaged pupils is too uneven. Provision for these pupils is not strong enough to ensure that all fulfil their potential.

The school has a wealth of information on pupils' progress. Leaders do not use it sharply enough to check that any additional support for disadvantaged pupils and others is suitably targeted and is having the desired effect. Governors challenge leaders effectively.

They supported the school well during the headteacher's long-term absence. They know the strengths of the school and what still needs improving. The school's work to promote pupils' personal development and welfare is good.

Pupils are proud of their school. They are well behaved and they feel safe. There is a happy atmosphere in school.

Relationships among pupils and between adults and pupils are open, kindly and respectful.

Information about this school

This is an average-sized primary school with eight classes. Children in the early years are taught in a Reception class and a Nursery, which is open for mornings only.

Most pupils are from White British backgrounds. The proportion of pupils with SEND is broadly average. The proportion of disadvantaged pupils supported by the pupil premium is broadly average.

There have been a large number of staff changes over the past two years. The headteacher was absent for significant periods time in the last five terms. Both the deputy headteacher and assistant headteacher are new to their posts in the current academic year.

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