Hillside Primary School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 2 June 2026

Pupils enjoy attending this welcoming school. They value the positive relationships they have with staff. They appreciate the support available when they need help. Older pupils describe the school as a place where 'everyone is welcome'. Pupils understand how to keep themselves safe, including when online. Bullying is rare. Pupils know that staff will help resolve friendship issues if they occur. Pupils benefit from a wide range of experiences beyond the classroom. They speak enthusiastically about opportunities, such as residential visits, camping and theatre trips. Older pupils enjoy leadership opportunities, including helping younger pupils. A wide range of clubs, including sports, science and environmental activities, helps pupils develop new interests and talents. Pupils benefit from opportunities to learn about future education and careers through transition activities, careers events and discussions from visitors from different professions. These experiences help pupils to develop confidence, raise their aspirations and broaden their understanding of the world beyond their local community. Pupils generally behave well and understand the school's expectations. Staff teach important routines and expectations to help pupils focus. Pupils attend the school regularly. Children in the early years settle quickly and engage positively with their learning. This is due to staff's caring and nurturing approach. Pupils appreciate the school's diverse community and treat others with respect. They talk confidently about future aspirations and understand that a wide range of opportunities are available to them. Pupils are keen to learn and value the support that helps them overcome barriers to learning. While pupils develop knowledge and skills across a broad range of subjects, some older pupils have not secured the knowledge they need in reading and writing. Further, the school's work to improve pupils' learning experiences through providing training for staff is underway but not complete. As a result, pupils do not achieve as well as they could.

What the school should improve

• Leaders should ensure consistently high-quality explanations, questioning and task design from all staff to guarantee that pupils benefit from effective learning experiences across the curriculum.
• Leaders should ensure that pupils build, retain and apply secure knowledge and skills over time, particularly in reading and writing.
• Leaders should ensure that staff apply the agreed approaches to adapting learning consistently, so that pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities access learning successfully and achieve well.
• Leaders should improve the quality of adult interactions in the early years, so that opportunities to develop children's language, communication and thinking are routinely maximised.

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