The Harrowby Church of England Primary School

Overview

The report describes a school where pupils are happy, feel safe, and benefit from strong community spirit and effective inclusion practices. However, leaders must address inconsistencies in curriculum delivery, low attendance rates, and gaps in pupil achievement to ensure all children are well prepared for the next stage of their education.

Strengths

• Safeguarding standards are met, with an "open culture" where concerns are actively identified and managed.
• Early years provision is effective, with children progressing well and developing essential fine motor and communication skills.
• Inclusion is strong; leaders work with "tenacity" to meet individual needs, using additional funding wisely to support disadvantaged pupils and those with special educational needs.
• Staff and leaders maintain high expectations for behaviour, creating a "calm and purposeful" environment where bullying is rare and relationships are built on kindness.
• Personal development is well-supported through physical activity, mental health provision, and a clear PSHE curriculum that teaches respect and online safety.

Areas to improve

• Leaders must strengthen curriculum delivery by ensuring staff have the expertise and high expectations needed so pupils secure key knowledge and skills.
• Leaders should improve pupils’ handwriting to ensure they form letters correctly and write fluently with increasing speed and accuracy.
• Leaders must continue to improve attendance, particularly for disadvantaged pupils, so more children attend school on every possible day.
• Leaders should extend opportunities for pupils to develop their personal talents and interests, as the current range is limited.

Safeguarding

The safeguarding standards are met, meaning leaders have established an open culture where safeguarding is everyone's responsibility and pupils are made safer and feel safe.