Harrington Hill Primary School

Harrington Hill Primary School Inspection report

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100256 Unique Reference Number Hackney Local Authority 276277 Inspection number 7 °8 December 2005 Inspection dates Barbara Atcheson Reporting inspector

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This inspection of the school was carried out under section 5 of the Education Act 2005.

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Primary Type of school Community School category 3 °11 Age range of pupils Mixed Gender of pupils Number on roll School

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The governing body Appropriate authority Jennifer Bell Chair Kae McSweeney Not previously inspected Date of previous school inspection Harrington Hill School address Mount Pleasant Lane Upper Clapton London E5 9EY

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0208 806 7275 Telephone number 020 8806 3364 Fax number

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3 °11 Age group 7 °8 December 2005 Inspection dates 276277 Inspection number .

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This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated.

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Further copies of this report are obtainable from the school. Under the Education Act 2005, the school must provide a copy of this report free of charge to certain categories of people. A charge not exceeding the full cost of reproduction may be made for any other copies supplied.

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Introduction

The inspection was carried out by two Additional Inspectors.

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Description of the school

The school is located in an area of high deprivation. A high percentage of pupils are eligible for free school meals. A third of the pupils have learning difficulties and disabilities. Almost all pupils are from minority ethnic backgrounds and a high proportion has Pakistani or Black African heritage. Attainment on entry is very low particularly in language, knowledge and understanding of the world, and in social skills. The percentage of pupils starting school after the reception year is high. Most of the current Year 6 pupils started school after Year 2.

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Key for inspection grades

Outstanding Grade 1 Good Grade 2 Satisfactory Grade 3 Inadequate Grade 4 3 of 7 Inspection Report: Harrington Hill Primary School, 7 °8 December 2005

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What the school should do to improve further

* Improve pupils' skills when working on space, shape and measures.* Improve pupils' competence in understanding complex ideas and texts.

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Grade:

The quality of teaching and learning is good with some outstanding features. Teaching and learning are consistently good in the Foundation Stage. At other stages, well matched, challenging work brings relevance and enjoyment to learning in the large majority of lessons. Outstanding teaching in Year 5 motivates pupils with behavioural difficulties, involving them in their learning. One girl said 'Teachers help us, but they don't give us the answers'. Teaching assistants work effectively to promote learning. Throughout the school, pupils with learning difficulties are helped effectively. Strategies such as the widespread use of visual cues support pupils with English as an additional language well.Assessment procedures are good. The tracking of pupils' progress is both rigorous and thorough. Small group activities accelerate learning effectively.

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Grade:

The curriculum is good with outstanding strengths in enrichment activities. It meets the needs of most pupils effectively. Good systems identify areas in need of greater emphasis such as the innovative reorganisation of the Year 3 curriculum where a focus on using the creative arts as a starting point is already motivating pupils and raising achievement. Recognition of diversity and a commitment to the individual are central to the school's work. Good provision for pupils with learning difficulties, the gifted and talented and those for whom English is an additional language, helps them make good progress. Careful attention is paid to pupils who start and leave at different times. There is an excellent range of clubs. Extensive visits make learning enjoyable whilst promoting good achievement across the curriculum. Personal, social, health and citizenship education helps to ensure pupils understand the importance of staying safe

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Grade:

and being healthy, and prepares them very well to make effective contributions to the community. 4 of 7 Inspection Report: Harrington Hill Primary School, 7 °8 December 2005

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Grade:

The care of pupils is outstanding. Parents and carers appreciate regular opportunities to meet teachers to discuss their children's progress. Outside agency and parental links are very supportive. Induction and transfer arrangements are carefully and systematically developed to maximise their benefit for pupils. The school has very good systems to inform pupils about how well they are doing and how they can improve. Reorganisation of the Year 3 curriculum has improved pupil motivation. The school has also identified the need to improve pupils' skills when working on space, shape and measures and to improve pupils' competence in understanding complex ideas and texts. Excellent procedures ensure the safety and well being of pupils. Very clear child protection and health and safety procedures are understood by all staff who are well aware of vulnerable pupils. Pupils are very clear about who they can approach

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Grade:

if they have problems and so feel safe and well supported. Pupils told the inspectors: 'if there is bullying, it gets solved fairly and swiftly.'

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Grade:

5 of 7 Inspection Report: Harrington Hill Primary School, 7 °8 December 2005 .

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Grade:

in the guidance 'Complaints about school inspection', which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk. 6 of 7 Inspection Report: Harrington Hill Primary School, 7 °8 December 2005

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

Thank you so much for being so welcoming and helpful to us when we came to visit your school. You took great care of us and we were impressed with how friendly and confident you were. Mrs McSweeney works so hard together with all of the other teachers to make your school a happy place where you learn lots of new and exciting things. We especially liked: * The way your teachers and other adults help you to do your best and get the most out of each day. * Your enthusiasm for learning and your hard work in lessons* Your good behaviour and respect for one another.* The way teachers and teaching assistants work very hard to care for you and make sure everyone is valued.You already work very hard in writing, mathematics and science. We would now like to see you work just as hard in reading. We would also like to see more of you achieving higher standards in reading and shape space and measure. Many thanks for being so friendly. We think your school is an exciting place and would have

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

loved to stay for longer. 7 of 7 Inspection Report: Harrington Hill Primary School, 7 °8 December 2005

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