Hilltop Infant School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 12 November 2024

Hilltop Infant School is a welcoming and nurturing learning community where pupils thrive. Parents and carers are effusive in their praise for the school. Relationships between staff, pupils and their families are warm and respectful. This helps to ensure pupils feel safe and are kept safe. Pupils behave exceptionally well in lessons. In the playground, they engage positively with each other and the activities available. Older pupils readily show care and kindness towards their younger peers, for example in helping them use the play equipment. Pupils follow an ambitious and interesting curriculum. They are eager to learn, produce work of high quality and achieve well. Pupils enjoy the wide range of visits and visitors. For example, outings to the theatre, places of worship and dinosaur workshops help bring the curriculum to life. The 'HEARTS Promise' is designed to engage all pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), in exciting opportunities. A broad range of additional activities, such as dance and fitness, baking, yoga, gardening, gymnastics and sports, develop pupils' talents and interests. Planned experiences often link to the school's contribution to the local community. For example, the choir performs at the town's Christmas lights event and sings in a local care home.

What the school should improve

• On occasion, some of the experiences provided in early years do not fully reflect the ambition of the intended curriculum. At times, this leads to variation in the quality of learning for some children. The school should take further action to ensure that tasks and activities provided are purposeful and consistently support the delivery of a high- quality education across the early years.

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