Harwood Hill Junior Mixed Infant and Nursery School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 21 March 2023

Pupils are happy and safe at this inclusive and welcoming school. They study a broad curriculum that prepares them well for the future. Teachers encourage pupils to aspire, learn and achieve. They make lessons interesting. Pupils know that learning is important, so they work hard and try their best. They enjoy special events such as Science Week and Spanish Day, which bring subjects to life for them. Pupils are confident and friendly. They behave very well in lessons and around the school. They look out for one another and treat others with respect and kindness. Pupils across the school say that bullying almost never happens. They believe that if it did, staff would deal with it effectively. Pupils are taught how to look after themselves and stay safe, including when they are online. They are confident that staff care about them and will help them if they have any worries. Pupils who need additional help, or who find school more difficult, are supported very sensitively. There are lots of opportunities for pupils to develop their interests and talents. These include subject-based clubs, football, chess and yoga. Older pupils enjoy taking on responsibilities such as becoming science ambassadors and sports leaders.

What the school should improve

• Leaders have put in place a structure where all teachers have responsibility for leading subjects. However, some subject leaders are still developing the expertise to check how well their curriculum is being implemented throughout the school. This means that they do not know as much as they could about how well staff are delivering the subject plans or how well pupils are building their knowledge. Leaders should continue to provide appropriate training and support so that less experienced subject leaders develop the knowledge and skills to fulfil their leadership roles effectively.
• Leaders have worked hard to engage with parents. However, leaders are aware that a small number of parents still feel that the school could communicate more effectively with them. This means some parents do not know how best to work with the school to support their children's learning. Leaders should ensure that all parents are provided with the information they need to help and support their children effectively.

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