Holbrook Primary School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 27 June 2023

Pupils are happy at Holbrook. They learn in a school that treats and values pupils as individuals. From the early years upwards, children are encouraged to do their very best. Strong relationships demonstrate the school's vision of 'Aiming high, succeeding together'. Children in Reception get off to a great start. An exciting learning environment and excellent routines make sure that children settle quickly and make friends. Pupils feel very safe. They appreciate the high levels of care staff show them. Pupils are confident to speak to adults if they have a concern or worry. Incidents of bullying are rare and pupils trust adults to deal with these effectively. Leaders are ambitious for every pupil to succeed. All pupils benefit from effective emotional and academic support. As a result, pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), achieve well. Teachers set high expectations for learning and behaviour. Pupils persevere in lessons to meet these and work hard. There is little low-level disruption in class. Pupils have strong attitudes to learning. They especially enjoy the many opportunities to discuss their work to help deepen their understanding. 'You really have to think to get answers,' one Year 6 pupil explained.

What the school should improve

• In a few foundation subjects, leaders have not identified the sequence of knowledge pupils need to learn precisely enough. As a result, some pupils do not build knowledge and deepen their understanding as well as they could. Leaders need to make sure that subject leaders continue to develop the curriculum, so that the important knowledge that pupils need to learn and when they need to learn it is identified in full.

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