Howardian Primary School

Overview

Howardian Primary School is a relatively new establishment that has successfully created a "caring and inclusive community" with a "strong team ethos." The inspection found that nearly all pupils make good progress, particularly in communication and mathematics, while demonstrating a "very positive attitude" towards learning.

Strengths

• The headteacher provides "strong and purposeful leadership," fostering a sense of pride and ownership among all stakeholders.
• Pupils show "good progress" in developing language, communication, and mathematical skills, with many achieving better than expected standards.
• Teachers deliver "interesting lessons" at a good pace, incorporating national frameworks effectively and using questioning to promote thinking.
• There is a "strong sense of pride" in the school, with pupils behaving very well and showing respect for others.
• Effective systems are in place to monitor progress, support pupils with additional learning needs, and engage parents in their children’s education.

Areas to improve

• Ensure there are "sufficient opportunities for pupils to lead their own learning" in the foundation phase, as current learning is often too tightly directed by adults.
• "Distribute leadership effectively" to cover and secure the quality of the full range of the school’s work.
• Improve the "standards of presentation of pupils’ written work," which is described as "untidy" in too many instances across Year 2 and Key Stage 2.

Safeguarding

The report states that the school’s safeguarding procedures "meet requirements and give no cause for concern."