Harbottle Church of England First School

Overview

Harbottle Church of England First School is described as a welcoming community where pupils feel “safe and well cared for” and behave well. The report states that the school has shaped a curriculum that “prepares pupils well for their next stages of learning,” with particular strength in reading, mathematics, and geography. Leaders and staff maintain high expectations, ensuring pupils are “keen to learn and achieve well.”

Strengths

• Reading is a high priority, with children making a “prompt start” in early years and becoming “fluent readers who read with expression.”
• The curriculum is carefully sequenced, allowing pupils to build knowledge step-by-step, particularly in science and geography where they “recall previous topics... well.”
• Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities are “well supported,” accessing the same curriculum and working alongside peers.
• Leaders provide “well-thought-out” opportunities for wider development, including trips that “bring the curriculum to life” and foster understanding of sustainability.
• Staff use assessment effectively to identify needs quickly, ensuring pupils receive support to “catch up” if required.

Areas to improve

• The school must develop record-keeping so that safeguarding actions are recorded in a “clear and chronological way,” as current records are not orderly.
• Curriculum implementation in some mixed-age classes is inconsistent; the school must ensure pupils have enough opportunities to “deepen their learning” so time is not lost.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with correct procedures in place and suitable checks completed for adults, although the school is developing a central system to improve the clarity of record-keeping.