Holmer Green First School and Pre-School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 29 November 2022

Pupils learn in a creative and stimulating environment. They are encouraged to experiment and take risks. Pupils do this by living out the school mantra, known as 'NED'. They never give up, they encourage others and always do their best. Even when, as one child put it, 'it's really hard but you just keep going'. Early years provides children with strong foundations, where high expectations of behaviour and learning are established. Pupils enjoy the practical tasks and activities that help them know and remember more. They show high levels of engagement and motivation to learn. Pupils have a real love for learning. Opportunities to discuss their work with their friends are plentiful. This is a key feature in most lessons. Pupils are proud of their school, always feeling safe because they trust the adults who care for them, implicitly. Parents agree. 'Very caring and inclusive' sums up parents' views. Pupils show high levels of care for one another: older pupils are excellent role models for the youngest children. Bullying is extremely rare because leaders constantly focus on building trust and strong relationships. Behaviour is almost always impeccable.

What the school should improve

• In some foundation subjects, leaders have not identified precisely the key knowledge they want pupils to know and remember. As a result, some pupils cannot build upon their knowledge over time. Leaders need to continue to develop the curriculum so that it clearly sets out the order in which pupils should learn the essential knowledge across all subjects.

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