Harold Court Primary School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 29 November 2022

Leaders and staff have created a warm and nurturing environment where each individual pupil feels valued. All staff have high expectations for what pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), can and should achieve. Pupils learn well in a range of subjects. They enjoy school and are keen learners. Pupils are polite and respectful. They feel safe and well cared for by all staff. Right from the start of early years, pupils develop positive attitudes to their learning. The 'Harold Court way', which was created together with pupils, sets the expectations for behaviour and conduct. Pupils concentrate well in lessons and focus on their learning. Classrooms are calm and orderly. Any off-task behaviour is dealt with quickly, as are any incidents of bullying. Pupils understand what bullying is and trust adults to deal with any issues that they may have. The school's core values are woven through the curriculum and all aspects of school life. Pupils embrace the opportunities available to them to make a positive contribution to the school. For example, they are proud of being part of the school parliament, and taking on roles such as a playground leader, an eco-warrior or a librarian. Pupils' talents and interests are encouraged through a range of extra- curricular clubs and outings.

What the school should improve

• In a small number of subjects, the planning and the delivery of the curriculum does not support pupils to understand and remember important knowledge. Pupils do not build up their knowledge as progressively in these subjects. Leaders need to refine their aims for the curriculum in some foundation subjects and ensure that teachers have the expertise to deliver the curriculum consistently well and check that pupils understand and recall subject content.
• Adaptations to learning for pupils with SEND are not as effective in subjects where the aims and the delivery of the curriculum are not well embedded. In a few subjects, teachers are sometimes unsure about how best to make learning the curriculum manageable for pupils with SEND. Leaders need to further develop staff expertise in making adaptations to learning for pupils with SEND so that these pupils learn and remember subject content across the curriculum.

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