Hilltop Primary School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 5 March 2024

Pupils are very proud to attend this vibrant and welcoming school. They love the attractive learning environments, particularly the well-resourced reading areas and the impressive art installations. Pupils play an integral part in the life of the school. From preparing information and music to broadcast on the school radio station, to acting as mentors and reading leaders to younger children, pupils support each other very well. When pupils arrive from other countries, their peers help them to settle in quickly. There is a very strong sense of community here. Staff have very high expectations of what pupils can achieve. Pupils achieve exceptionally well because the school provides an interesting and well-considered curriculum. In national examinations, pupils, and particularly disadvantaged pupils, excel in writing and mathematics. Pupils behave well, enjoy their learning and appreciate their talented teachers. They rightly credit the school with helping them to develop their incredibly positive attitudes. Pupils behave impeccably, with maturity, politeness and respect. Pupils benefit extensively from the rich and varied experiences that the school carefully plans. 'Opportunity passports' set out a range of skills and opportunities that pupils should try, including sporting, artistic and cultural experiences. The school ensures that pupils also have meaningful opportunities to learn life skills such as travelling by train and learning to mend bicycles.

What the school should improve

• Local governance is not as effective as it could be. Governors do not have enough knowledge to allow them to support leaders sufficiently well in achieving the school's strategic priorities. The trust should ensure that governors access training to enable them to support school leaders as effectively as possible.

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