Hallfield Primary School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 11 July 2023

Leaders have created a nurturing and inclusive environment here. Staff look after pupils well and keep them safe. Pupils have plenty of adults they can talk to if they have any concerns. Staff are used to new pupils arriving at different points in the school year. They make sure that pupils feel welcomed and ready to join in with school activities. Pupils understand the one simple school rule, which is to 'be kind'. They are taught about what this means in different settings, such as in the playground or in lessons. Pupils are well behaved and respectful to others. Staff praise pupils for positive behaviour and for displaying the 'Hallfield values', such as resilience and independence. Pupils like achieving 'star of the week' and working together to fill the 'marble jar' for class rewards. Leaders encourage pupils to be tolerant and to celebrate people's differences and similarities. For example, through the 'Tree of Life' project, pupils explore their own background and culture and compare these to others. Pupils invented their own rules about what it means to be an autism-friendly school. This helps pupils from the specially resourced provision to feel part of the school's community.

What the school should improve

• Staff are still getting to grips with the school's recently introduced phonics programme and the approach to teaching phonics. The school should ensure that the new phonics programme is embedded and continue to support staff to deliver it constantly well.
• In some subjects, the school has not identified precisely the most important subject content that pupils need to know and remember over time. Where this is the case, pupils struggle to recall essential knowledge. The school should continue to develop curriculum thinking to ensure that essential subject knowledge is securely embedded in pupils' long-term memory.

Read the full Ofsted report (opens in a new tab)