Harpur's Hill Primary School

Overview

The report describes a Sustaining Improvement Inspection conducted in November 2018, noting that teacher non-cooperation due to industrial action prevented a full evaluation of classroom teaching and learning. Despite this limitation, the inspection found that leadership remains effective and significant improvements have been made in outdoor play and science planning since the previous inspection.

Strengths

• Leadership is described as "very capable," maintaining an "effective culture of self-evaluation" and supporting staff professional development.
• "Considerable improvements" have been made to outdoor play, including a "well-defined and purposeful outdoor play area" and inter-generational gardening.
• Science provision planning has been "developed well" by infusing cross-curricular skills to support literacy and numeracy.
• Year 6 pupils spoke "confidently and very positively" about reading, mathematics, science, and leadership opportunities such as the School Council.
• The school holds a "notable quality assurance award" for its nurture provision and maintains good community links.

Areas to improve

• The report identifies no specific areas for improvement, as the ETI was "unable to evaluate fully" the lines of inquiry and classroom teaching quality due to staff non-cooperation.

Safeguarding

The school provided evidence that safeguarding arrangements "reflect broadly the guidance from the Department of Education," and pupils stated they feel safe, though the ETI was "unable to evaluate fully" these arrangements due to the industrial action.