Hollinswood Primary School

Overview

Hollinswood Primary School has “taken effective action to maintain the standards identified at the previous inspection.” It is described as a “welcoming and inclusive school” where staff are “caring” and pupils “achieve well in most subjects.” The report confirms that pupils feel “happy and safe” within a culture that values respect and responsibility.

Strengths

• Pupils “achieve well in reading and writing” by Year 6, supported by staff who teach phonics with “fidelity” and provide daily extra support where needed.
• The curriculum offers a “broad range of inclusive extra-curricular and enrichment opportunities,” including music lessons for every pupil from Year 2 to Year 6 and visits to museums and theatres.
• Staff are “expert in supporting individual pupils’ needs,” ensuring that pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are identified quickly and “achieve well.”
• Governors “hold leaders to account” and ensure staff well-being is supported, while pupils demonstrate an understanding of “fundamental British values” such as democracy and the rule of law.

Areas to improve

• The school must implement its new assessment methods in all subjects, ensuring that checks on pupils’ learning are consistently used to address “gaps in pupils’ knowledge.”
• Staff need to consistently apply the new approach to teaching early writing, specifically by correcting pupils’ “errors and misconceptions” more readily to ensure uniform delivery.

Safeguarding

The report states that “the arrangements for safeguarding are effective.”