The Hermitage School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school The new headteacher and her leadership team have taken effective action to bring about improvements across the school.

Leaders have set high expectations. They have introduced a range of successful strategies to improve the quality of teaching and learning. Middle leaders are developing their leadership skills well, with support from the Swan Trust and the local mathematics hub.

As a result, they are beginning to have a positive impact on improving the quality of teaching and learning. Governors have a good understanding of the school's strengths and priorities for improvement. They provide school leaders with an effective balance of supp...ort and challenge.

While leaders monitor the impact of additional funding, monitoring lacks sufficient rigour. The quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good. Teachers have strong subject knowledge.

They give clear, accurate explanations which help pupils to develop their understanding, particularly in reading and writing. There is some variability in the teaching of mathematics. Although the teaching is generally effective, at times, the work that pupils are given is not demanding enough.

Overall, current pupils, including those who are disadvantaged and those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), are making good progress from their starting points. The school's curriculum offers pupils a range of interesting learning experiences. However, leaders acknowledge that this requires further development.

Consequently, the quality of teaching in some subjects is inconsistent and the progress that pupils make is variable. Pupils' conduct around the school is calm and orderly. They take pride in their work and have positive attitudes to their learning.

Pupils have a good understanding of how to keep themselves safe. They know who to talk to in school if they have any worries. Safeguarding is effective.

Leaders ensure that pupils' welfare is given a high priority. Consequently, pupils are kept safe from harm.

Information about this school

Since the last inspection, the school has appointed a new headteacher.

She joined the school in September 2018. The school is part of the Swan Trust, an umbrella trust of five schools working as equal partners. The schools work together collaboratively to provide one another with support and challenge.

The school also works with a local mathematics hub to support school leaders with their work to improve the quality of teaching in mathematics. The school has an additionally resourced provision, the Orchard Centre, offering 18 places for pupils with moderate learning difficulties. Pupils are educated in the centre during the morning session and join mainstream classes for the afternoon.

The school is larger than the average-sized junior school. The proportion of pupils with SEND is in line with the national average. However, the proportion of pupils who have an education, health and care plan is above the national average.

The proportion of disadvantaged pupils is below the national average. The vast majority of pupils are from a White British background. The proportion of pupils who speak English as an additional language is well below the national average.