Holly Hill Methodist CofE Infant School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 24 January 2023

The motto 'We work as one, no child is left behind' embodies leaders' high expectations for every child at this delightful school. Care, nurture and love are at the heart of everything that happens. Adults routinely go above and beyond for every pupil. Pupils repay this with excellent behaviour, hard work and meaningful relationships, which are a hallmark here. Leaders have high ambitions for every pupil, including disadvantaged pupils and those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Most pupils join the school with many barriers to learning. All staff work hard to ensure pupils overcome these barriers. As a result, pupils learn very well and flourish. Pupils are a joy to observe. They are polite, friendly and welcoming. Routines and behaviour expectations are well established and understood, and pupils readily adhere to them. Leaders provide a calm and orderly environment. Pupils are safe and happy. Leaders deal swiftly and effectively with any issues that may arise, including bullying. Pupils say that kindness is the key to their school. The school's Christian ethos and values excellently support pupils' personal development. As one pupil said, 'Just be kind.'

What the school should improve

• In a very small number of foundation subjects, the precise learning and skills that pupils need to acquire are less clearly identified than they are in the core subjects. When this happens, pupils' learning in these subjects can lack depth. Leaders should ensure that staff are clear about the precise knowledge and skills that pupils need to learn in these subjects so that pupils can accumulatively build up their learning over time.

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