Hunstanton Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school The high expectations of senior leaders and governors have ensured that the school continues to be good. They have managed the expansion to a primary school effectively. The school is well placed to improve further.

Leaders are implementing new strategies to improve teaching and learning in reading, writing and mathematics. As a result, pupils' outcomes are rising. The school has a caring, inclusive ethos.

In this safe, stimulating environment, pupils thrive as a result of a wide range of curricular and enrichment activities. Vulnerable pupils are looked after well. Staff ensure that these pupils receive the support they need to make good... progress from their individual starting points.

A broad, interesting curriculum develops pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development (SMSC) well. Pupils are respectful and tolerant of each other. New arrivals throughout the year settle into school life quickly.

A focus on improving the teaching and learning of phonics has increased the proportion of pupils who meet the required standard by the end of Year 1. Pupils' behaviour is good and most show positive attitudes to learning. The early years provision is stimulating and exciting.

Children make good progress from their starting points. They are well prepared to start key stage 1. Teachers show good subject knowledge and ask effective questions to extend pupils' learning across the curriculum.

However, pupils have too few opportunities to write at length to apply their English skills and to record their knowledge in other subjects. Staff do not use the school's assessment system fully to identify as quickly as possible pupils who are not doing as well as they should. Standards in mathematics at key stage 2 are lower than those in English, but they are improving quickly.

However, pupils have too few opportunities to apply their mathematical skills in other contexts to deepen their understanding. The characteristics of highly effective teaching within the school need to be more widely shared to further improve the skills of other staff.

Information about this school

The school converted to a primary school in September 2015 from a junior school which had previously federated with a local infant school.

The school is smaller than the average-sized primary school, although the number of pupils on roll has risen considerably. There have been a number of new leadership and teaching appointments since the previous inspection. The deputy headteacher became the acting headteacher in March 2018.

The proportion of pupils who have SEN and/or disabilities is above the national average. The proportion of pupils who have a statement of SEN or an education, health and care plan is below the national average. The proportion of pupils who are eligible for pupil premium funding is higher than the national average.

A large majority of pupils come from a White British background and speak English as their first language. Children in the early years attend full time in the Reception Year. The school meets the current government floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress by the end of key stage 2.