Heyford Park School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 10 October 2023

Pupils are respectful and friendly. They engage in school enthusiastically. From the moment children join Nursery, staff nurture their curiosity and creativity. In Reception, children learn the principles of being 'ready, respectful and safe'. This teaches them to cooperate and think about others' needs. These values permeate the school. Pupils of all ages play safely and happily together at breaktime. Older pupils relish the opportunity to nurture younger pupils. Many aspire to be on the active student council. They are rightly proud of the contribution they make to their school. Staff know pupils as individuals and want the very best for them. Younger children settle into the school very quickly. One pupil, typical of many, said, 'Teachers get to know you well; they do really care about you.' The school is ambitious for all pupils, including pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Pupils rise to the high expectations that all staff share. The purposeful and calm atmosphere in lessons is conducive to high-quality learning. The school's values of integrity, service and excellence are clearly evident. Pupils demonstrate high levels of tolerance and mutual support. They appreciate diversity and the inclusive nature of their school.

What the school should improve

• Sometimes, teachers do not check that pupils have remembered key vocabulary, knowledge and skills before teaching new concepts. Consequently, some pupils develop gaps in their understanding and struggle to remember new ideas. The school needs to ensure that all teachers check for and address misconceptions routinely to ensure that all pupils remember their learning and achieve even more.

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