High standards maintained at Haddon Primary & Nursery School, says Ofsted

‘Pupils are proud and happy to attend Haddon Primary and Nursery School.’ said report

Haddon Primary & Nursery School in Carlton has maintained the high standards of a good school says Ofsted, following a recent visit to the school.

The report said staff have positive relationships with pupils commenting, ‘Pupils are proud and happy to attend Haddon Primary and Nursery School. The school provides a welcoming and inclusive environment,’ and that,’… Pupils feel safe and know that they can talk to a trusted adult to help them with any worries.’

The inspection report says that the school’s ‘DREAM’ values of Determined, Respect, Enjoy, Achieve and Make Memories ‘are woven into all aspects of its work. As a result, pupils demonstrate these values in their work and free play.’

The report states that the school ‘has very high expectations for pupils to achieve well,’ going on to say, ‘Pupils demonstrate positive attitudes to learning from a young age. They enjoy working with each other in lessons and learning in a variety of ways. Pupils are proud to share their achievements with others. One parent, sharing the views of many parents and carers, reflected that the school is a ‘wonderful place to learn and grow’.’

Pupils at the school enjoy wide opportunities to attend school trips and visits, telling inspectors they feel proud when nominated to become a pupil leader.

Year 6 pupil, Georgia said, “I am proud to be a Haddoner because the teachers are wonderful and kind and support us to DREAM BIG and AIM HIGH.” Fellow year 6 pupil Lucas agreed saying, “Everyone in the building is respectful and understands that we are all different.”

The reports says that the school has worked collaboratively with the Flying High Partnership, its multi-academy trust, to design an ambitious curriculum, commenting, ‘The school’s ‘WEAVE’ principles of ‘wider world, experience, aspiration, vocabulary and equality and diversity’ help pupils to develop their knowledge of the local area and the wider world. Pupils enjoy their enquiry projects. Through this approach, pupils receive a broad and balanced curriculum offer. They produce high-quality outcomes in a range of subjects.’

Staff at the school were praised for having strong subject and pedagogical knowledge, with the visiting inspector saying, ‘They design lessons that are well structured. This supports pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), to achieve well. Pupils have a range of opportunities to ‘reactivate’ their learning.’

Reading is prioritised at the school and Nursery children are described as well prepared to begin their phonics work in Reception. ‘Staff teach the phonics programme consistently well,’ said the report, ‘Frequent checks help to identify the small number of pupils who need additional support in learning to read. All staff show high enthusiasm when reading aloud. This helps pupils develop a love of reading from an early age. Investment in high-quality and diverse texts helps pupils to develop their reading repertoire.’

Children in the early years ‘receive a strong start to their schooling’ said the inspector, commenting, ‘The purposeful environment enables children to practise and deepen their knowledge. Staff are highly skilled in questioning and modelling language. This helps children to develop their vocabulary from an early age. Children are very well prepared for key stage 1 and beyond.’

Nina Capek is Headteacher at Haddon Primary & Nursery School, and she said, “I am delighted that Ofsted have recognised Haddon as maintaining and building on all the positives seen during our 2019 inspection. I am so proud of how hard all of our staff and children work to ensure that relationships are really strong, and that we have created a welcoming and inclusive environment for everyone.

“A huge thanks to Haddon’s committed staff team, and to our fantastic children and their supportive families, together they make this school such a special place for children to learn and flourish.”

The report had high praise for Haddon’s children and described their excitement when they receive DREAM tokens for demonstrating the school values. ‘They make everyone feel welcome in school,’ said the inspector, ‘Pupils know how to develop healthy relationships with each other by showing kindness and respect. Staff use their training effectively to support pupils who need additional help to manage their emotions.’

Particularly noted by Ofsted was the school’s personal development programme, described as ‘extensive’. It says, ‘Pupils learn how to keep themselves safe, both in school and online. They appreciate opportunities to hear from visiting speakers about water and fire safety. Pupils are knowledgeable about a range of cultures. They enjoy their visits to places of worship to understand more about religious faiths. Pupils enjoy a range of clubs, such as multi-sports and choir.’

The school benefits from the close partnership it has with its multi-academy trust and staff appreciate plentiful opportunities for professional development, and that their well-being is considered.

Finally, the report said, ‘The school’s accurate identification of its strengths and areas for development helps to continually improve pupils’ achievements. The trust works closely with local governors to ensure that, together, they fulfil their statutory responsibilities for the school.’

Safeguarding arrangements for the school were found to be effective.