Handcross Primary School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 23 May 2023

Pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), work incredibly hard and achieve well. Leaders ensure that there are strong relationships at all levels. Bullying is rare, and this helps pupils to feel happy and safe. This embodies the school's strongly shared vision of 'Happy, Safe and Aiming High'. Excellent routines and caring staff enable the youngest children to settle and quickly develop confidence. Parents appreciate this and recognise the high levels of care their children receive. 'It's a very good school and the staff are brilliant, very understanding and supportive,' was one parent's comment, reflecting the feelings of many. Pupils try their best to meet the high expectations of behaviour and learning set by leaders. They have good attitudes to learning and concentrate in lessons. Pupils love the opportunity to discuss their work. They behave well in lessons because they want to learn. Teachers ensure that lessons are stimulating and capture pupils' imaginations. Consequently, there is virtually no low-level disruption. Pupils accept one another. They learn to respect and look out for each other. 'We can all be different, but we must treat each other the same,' was an insightful comment from an older pupil.

What the school should improve

• In a few foundation subjects, leaders have not identified the key knowledge they want pupils to know and remember precisely. As a result, some pupils cannot build upon their knowledge over time. Leaders need to continue to develop the curriculum so that it clearly sets out the order in which pupils should learn the essential knowledge across all subjects.

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