Hollinsclough Church of England Academy

Overview

Hollinsclough Church of England Academy is described as a ‘happy place to be’ where pupils feel part of a ‘big family’. The inspection found that the school provides a good quality of education, with nurturing staff and a curriculum that supports pupils’ personal development and behaviour.

Strengths

• Staff are ‘nurturing and caring’, ensuring pupils feel supported and know they can ask for help.
• The curriculum is developed in a ‘logical order’ and accounts for mixed-age classes, with effective checks on pupil learning.
• Reading is promoted well, with a new phonics system helping Reception and Year 1 pupils learn to read effectively.
• Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities receive ‘extra adult support’ and early identification of needs.
• The school celebrates diversity and prepares pupils for life in modern Britain through educational visits and outdoor learning.

Areas to improve

• The school must ensure all subjects are monitored effectively, as evaluation of new curricula is still at an early stage.
• Leaders should identify the precise knowledge children need to learn in the early years to better prepare them for key stage 1.
• Behaviour management systems need to be applied consistently to address occasional low-level disruption that limits learning.

Safeguarding

The report states that ‘the arrangements for safeguarding are effective’.