Oxfordshire primary school heading for Outstanding award

A Banbury primary school could be rated ‘outstanding’ in a full Ofsted inspection according to a report published last week.

Hardwick Primary School, a member of GLF Schools Multi-Academy Trust, has ‘exceptionally high expectations’ of children from the nursery through to Year 6 and it has retained its Good rating from Ofsted.

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“Leaders have introduced a highly ambitious curriculum which is exceptionally well planned and sequenced. They strive to provide the best possible experiences for all pupils in this school. There are many opportunities for enrichment within the curriculum, from learning to salsa dance, to pupils creating their own carnivals,” says the report.

“There is enough evidence of improved performance to suggest that the school could be rated Outstanding if we were to carry out a graded inspection now.”

Headteacher Graeme Page said the report reflects the ‘significant effort,’ of the entire team to improve the education of every pupil.

“We are absolutely thrilled with the outcome of our recent inspection and I am incredibly proud of what we have been able to achieve in the last three years, despite the challenges that came with leading a school after the pandemic. 

“This report recognises our relentless drive to improve teaching and learning which has ensured our children get the very best education no matter their starting points,” he said.

The school had a ‘Section 8’ inspection which cannot change a grade previously awarded, but a full inspection will take place within the next two years.

The inspector highlighted the fact that high expectations are in place for all pupils, including those who have Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities.

“Pupils are very well supported in the classroom and are given the same resources and help needed to be successful. All pupils have learning broken down into small steps to ensure that they can achieve the desired outcomes,” it says.

Behaviour is ‘excellent’ and the children ‘clearly love learning’ the inspector said.

“Reading is a high priority for the school, as leaders and staff know its importance to future success. There is a well-implemented approach to the teaching of phonics across the school, which starts from nursery. Teachers and support staff deliver the phonics programme with expertise.

“Leaders are driven to ensure that the pupils receive not just a well-rounded education, but also a wealth of experiences that go beyond the taught curriculum. There are a wide range of trips and visits for the pupils to experience, especially ones that are built around the science and technology of the local area,” said the report.

Staff at the school know the pupils well and are able to address individual needs. They are proud to work at the school and say leaders look after their wellbeing.

“I would like to thank all the pupils, staff, parents and members of our multi-academy trust for their ongoing hard work, support and dedication. To be given no areas for improvement is testament to the outstanding work going on at all levels in our school,” said Mr Page.

The school has 239 pupils aged from two to 11, and the inspection was the first since it joined the GLF Schools Multi-Academy Trust in 2019.