Heybridge Primary School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 19 January 2023

Pupils are enthusiastic about their learning at Heybridge Primary School. They enjoy their lessons and work hard to achieve the high expectations staff have of them. Pupils love reading and benefit from the opportunities they have to choose their own books from the school library. They are enthusiastic about the stories that teachers read to them at the end of the school day. Pupils behave well in their lessons and during their break and lunchtimes. Older pupils appreciate the opportunity to have positions of responsibility, such as playground leads and prefects, and they enjoy supporting younger pupils with games on the playground. Pupils like visiting 'Café Heybridge' at lunchtime if they want somewhere quiet and calm to eat and play with friends. Pupils know that if bullying occurs, there is always a member of staff to help them deal with it. Pupils are happy and safe at school. Pupils know and understand their school values, 'The Heybridge Fives', and demonstrate these throughout the day. They are respectful of each other and look after each other. Pupils take an active role in the school. Democratically elected school councillors are proud to represent their school and contribute to events such as the Remembrance Parade.

What the school should improve

• There are some inconsistencies in the subject knowledge of teachers. This means that the planned curriculum is not always taught, assessed or adapted as effectively as it could be. This results in gaps in what pupils know and can remember. Leaders must ensure that all staff are given the training and support they need to teach, assess and adapt the planned curriculum effectively so that pupils have a better understanding of what they have learned.
• Absence and persistent absence have begun to reduce. However, there remains a core of pupils persistently absent from school. This has a negative impact on their learning. Leaders must ensure they securely embed the new approaches to promoting good attendance so that fewer pupils are absent from school.
• There is a significant minority of parents who feel that leaders do not communicate well with them. This means they do not have a clear understanding of how well their child is learning at school or how to support them effectively at home. Leaders must develop effective approaches to engage the parental community when parents have concerns.

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