Hainford VC Primary School

Inspection of a good school: Hainford VC Primary School Newton Road, Hainford, Norwich, Norfolk, NR10 3BQ

p.1

Outcome

Hainford VC Primary School continues to be a good school.

p.1

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils at this school are very happy. They really enjoy their learning and using the school’s enquiry approach to find out more about what they are interested in.

p.1

What is it like to attend this school?

Staff make sure that pupils are well cared for, and that those with additional needs have these met. Staff work closely with families to support those who need extra help.

p.1

What is it like to attend this school?

This small school benefits from being part of a larger federation. This provides additional expertise and staff development. Pupils benefit from joining federation-wide events, such as cricket tournaments.

p.1

What is it like to attend this school?

There is no bullying, but where pupils feel that they are being upset, staff work with them to make sure this is resolved. Behaviour is good. Pupils enjoy both their lessons and playtimes. They learn about different cultures and ways of life and have respect for others.

p.1

What does the school do well and what does it need to do better?

Pupils learn well here. Teachers have high expectations of what pupils should achieve. Pupils’ work is of a good standard and shows they have a comprehensive understanding of what they are taught.

p.1

What does the school do well and what does it need to do better?

The curriculum maps clearly plan for the complexities of mixed age classes. Teachers carefully ensure that the progression of skills is appropriate to each year group and their stage of development.

p.1

What does the school do well and what does it need to do better?

In English, pupils enjoy reading and sharing a range of high-quality texts. Pupils were really excited when talking about their current class story. Good quality phonics teaching also makes sure that pupils make a strong start to early reading and writing. As they move through the school, reading and writing continues to be of a high standard. 15 July 2021

p.1

2

In other subjects, such as history, pupils are highly enthused by the different approaches that teachers use. Pupils ask questions and find out more about what they are interested in. They can apply what they have learned in previous topics to new learning.

p.2

2

Teachers help to develop pupils’ vocabulary and use of language effectively. This builds pupils’ confidence in explaining their answers or ideas. In mathematics, teachers are building up pupils’ confidence in answering why something is the case and being able to show this in words or picture form.

p.2

2

The usual close professional development opportunities between staff across the federation has been impacted negatively by the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. As a result, staff are not always confident to deliver all aspects of the curriculum. As a result, while pupils progress well, they are not routinely challenged to attempt the most complex aspects of the curriculum.

p.2

2

As part of the work of the federation, pupils benefit from specialist physical education teaching. They take part in cross federation events. Pupils typically take part in a wide range of trips out and clubs, though the COVID-19 pandemic has limited their access to some of these.

p.2

2

Staff encourage pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) to become confident learners. Leaders and staff ensure that all pupils access the same high quality curriculum, and progress well in this.

p.2

2

Pupils behave well. When asked to listen pupils follow instructions quickly.

p.2

2

Leaders make sure that staff are well supported. They work closely with other leaders from the federation to share expertise.

p.2

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.2

Safeguarding

Staff in the school and those from the wider federation know the pupils well. They make sure that all those who need support get it. The pastoral support provides a range of nurture, mentoring and counselling opportunities for pupils.

p.2

Safeguarding

Leaders make sure that all appropriate checks are made on staff before they start employment.

p.2

(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

 Teachers have had limited opportunities to access professional development in the last year and a half. This means that they have not been able to further improve their subject and pedagogical knowledge. As a result, teachers are not always confident to challenge pupils to attempt the most complex aspects of the curriculum. Leaders need 15 July 2021

p.2

3

to ensure that teachers have more opportunities to further develop their own curriculum understanding.

p.3

Background

When we have judged a school to be good, we will then normally go into the school about once every four years to confirm that the school remains good. This is called a section 8 inspection of a good or outstanding school, because it is carried out under section 8 of the Education Act 2005. We do not give graded judgements on a section 8 inspection. However, if we find some evidence that a good school could now be better than good, or that standards may be declining, then the next inspection will be a section 5 inspection. Usually this is within one to two years of the date of the section 8 inspection. If we have serious concerns about safeguarding, behaviour or the quality of education, we will convert the section 8 inspection to a section 5 inspection immediately.

p.3

Background

This is the first section 8 inspection since we judged the school to be good on 16–17 June 2016.

p.3

How can I feed back my views?

find out what other parents and carers think. We use Ofsted Parent View information when deciding which schools to inspect, when to inspect them and as part of their inspection.

p.3

How can I feed back my views?

The Department for Education has further guidance on how to complain about a school.

p.3

How can I feed back my views?

If you are the school and you are not happy with the inspection or the report, you can complain to Ofsted .

p.3

Further information

You can search for published performance information about the school.

p.3

Further information

In the report, 'disadvantaged pupils' refers to those pupils who attract government pupil premium funding: pupils claiming free school meals at any point in the last six years and pupils in care or who left care through adoption or another formal route. 15 July 2021

p.3

School details

Inspection number 10197316 Type of school Primary

p.4

School details

Appropriate authority The governing body

p.4

School details

Headteacher Ashley Best-White (Executive headteacher), Paul Cross (Head of school) Website www.harnserfed.co.uk

p.4

School details

Date of previous inspection 16 – 17 June 2016, under section 5 of the Education Act 2005

p.4

Information about this school

 Hainford Primary School is much smaller than the average primary school.  The school works in partnership with the other two small schools in the Nebula Federation, sharing subject leaders. The three smallest schools are known as the Harnser schools. These three schools were formerly federated.  It is part of the Nebula Federation, comprising of six local schools, under the same executive leadership and governing body. Some services such as the pastoral team are shared across these six schools.  The school is part of the diocese of Norwich. The last section 48 inspection took place in January 2019.

p.4

Information about this inspection

 We met with the executive headteacher, the executive deputy headteachers who work across the federation and the head of school. We also met with teachers and other staff that work across the federation. 15 July 2021

p.4

5

 We did deep dives into these subjects: mathematics, reading and history. As part of these we spoke to leaders, visited lessons, looked at pupils’ work, and spoke with teachers and pupils.  During this inspection, one class (Years 4 to 6) was isolating as a result of COVID-19. We looked at this class’ work in detail and spoke to the class teacher but were not able to visit any lessons or meet pupils in these year groups.  To inspect safeguarding, we scrutinised the single central record and a wide range of safeguarding records. We spoke to staff and pupils about safeguarding.  We considered the 20 responses to Parent View, the Ofsted parent survey.

p.5

Inspection team

Tessa Holledge, lead inspector Her Majesty's Inspector

p.5

Inspection team

Damian Loneragan Her Majesty's Inspector 15 July 2021

p.5

6

regulates and inspects to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children's services, and inspects services for children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

p.6

6

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.6

6

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/ , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.6

6

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.6

6

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.6