Hope View School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 26 September 2023

Pupils describe Hope View as 'amazing'. Every pupil whom inspectors talked to had positive thoughts to share. Even when prompted to suggest small things to improve, most struggled. Typical responses included, 'Everything is a big step up from my last school,' and, 'That's a tough one, because a lot in the school does not need to be changed.' Pupils enjoy the established routine of the school day, which starts with a carefully choreographed and orderly welcome. Pupils know the rules because expectations are high and well known. Older pupils describe the 8.30am 'thumbs-up' as the sign they long to see, as it indicates that staff are ready to start the day. Positive relationships sit at the heart of this school. Pupils enjoy the praise that they get. They feel safe. They know that staff are ready to listen and help when their anxieties build. High levels of respect are evident and flow both ways between adults and pupils. Pupils also respect each other. One striking aspect for inspectors was how quickly new pupils settle in. Staff have high aspirations but also want pupils to enjoy school. This comes across loud and clear from day one, and the impact is plain to see.

What the school should improve

• In some lessons, teachers do not check pupils' understanding as well as they might. When this happens, pupils' misconceptions are not identified and addressed as quickly as they could be, and opportunities to consolidate or extend learning are lost. Leaders need to ensure that all staff are proactive in assessing pupils' learning during lessons, so that progress is maximised and gaps in pupils' knowledge and understanding are identified more consistently.
• In some foundation subjects, curriculum plans do not detail clearly enough the key knowledge the school wants pupils to learn. Teachers do not have clarity about what pupils need to know and remember. This means that pupils are not building their knowledge consistently over time and that opportunities for them to make connections with prior learning are not as strong as they might be. Leaders need to refine curriculum plans in these subjects further, so that staff have a clearer understanding of the key knowledge that pupils need to know and remember.

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