Horninglow Primary: A de Ferrers Trust Academy

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school Under the headteacher's leadership, and supported by the multi-academy trust (MAT), the staff team has worked successfully to create a welcoming and happy school. Senior leaders have worked hard to improve teaching and outcomes. Although outcomes are not yet good, the impact of improvements across the school demonstrates that its overall effectiveness is now good.

Staff and pupils' morale are high. The majority of parents' views are also highly positive. The chief executive officer (CEO) of the MAT and the governing body have a good understanding of the work of the school.

They provide strong levels of support and challenge. The curriculu...m is exciting and engaging. Pupils enjoy the wide range of subjects taught.

Clubs, visitors and special events add to pupils' enjoyment of school and contribute to their good attendance. The quality of teaching is good but there is a little variability. Some teachers do not pick up and address common errors or misconceptions as they occur.

Sometimes, pupils are limited in how they present their work. The overuse of worksheets restricts pupils' ability to set their work out independently, especially in key stage 2. The teaching of phonics is effective in providing pupils with early reading skills.

Pupils show a high level of enjoyment for reading. Leaders ensure that pupils have a wide range of reading material and that they read regularly, both at home and school. A very wide range of support, nurture and help is available for pupils who are disadvantaged or those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).

This aids their social and emotional development. Pupils behave well in class and around the school. They are polite, respectful and courteous to each other.

Pupils are well cared for, enjoy school and feel safe. Safeguarding procedures are robust. Outcomes for pupils require improvement.

The progress pupils are making, especially disadvantaged pupils and pupils with SEND, is not yet good enough. Consequently, attainment is too low. However, pupils' progress is improving as a result of the good quality of teaching and learning.

This is evident in the improved standards in reading, writing and mathematics. Children in the early years get off to a strong start. They make good progress because of good quality teaching and effective leadership.

Information about this school

Horninglow Primary is an average-sized primary school. The school joined the de Ferrers Trust in May 2016. It is one of seven academies within the Trust, four of which are primary.

The headteacher was appointed in September 2016. The board of trustees has overall legal responsibility for each school. They are also responsible for the quality of education provided by the school, its governance and its finance.

The board delegate some areas of responsibility to the local governing body, for example buildings management, curriculum, and monitoring of the pupil and sports premium. Just over half of pupils are White British. Other pupils are from a range of different ethnic groups.

The proportion of pupils who speak English as an additional language is above the national average. The proportion of disadvantaged pupils is above the national average. The proportion of pupils with SEND is average.

The proportion of pupils supported with an education, health and care plan is below average. The school provides full-time and part-time places for children in the Nursery class. The school runs a breakfast club before school.