Sugar Hill Primary School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 4 February 2025

This is a welcoming school, where staff quickly get to know pupils. This helps staff to understand the needs of pupils. As one parent commented, reflecting the views of many, 'My children are absolutely thriving!' From the start, in the early years, staff have exceptionally high expectations for children to learn and broaden their experiences of life. Across the school, pupils live up to these expectations. They work hard and concentrate on their learning. Many pupils achieve the high standards expected of them. Pupils behave with maturity. 'Mini police' look after other pupils during breaktimes. Pupils support each other in their learning and during social times. They respect and care for each other. The school has ensured that pupils have many ways in which they can share their worries with an adult. Caring staff are on hand to give advice and support pupils whenever they need. Pupils feel happy and safe. The 'Kindness Café' is appreciated by the families who attend. The school organises a range of visitors to the café. The visitors provide helpful advice about local resources. Pupils learn important values, such as working collaboratively through a range of curriculum projects. Connections with Durham University and local businesses enhance pupils' learning experiences.

What the school should improve

• In a small number of subjects, assessment is not used precisely to check how well pupils learn important content. The school is sometimes unsure about what pupils know or whether pupils have misconceptions. Consequently, some pupils do not build knowledge as well as they could. The school should ensure that assessment is used precisely across the whole curriculum, so that teachers can address gaps in knowledge or any misconceptions that pupils might have.

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