Hightown Primary School rated 'Good' by Ofsted for second time in five years

Hightown Primary School in Southampton has received a ‘Good’ rating across the board by Ofsted.

A two-day inspection in November by Ofsted covered the quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management and early years provision.

In the Ofsted report, Hightown was rated ‘Good’ in all of these, with overall effectiveness also rated Good.

Hightown Primary School in Thornhill is part of the Inspire Learning Partnership multi-academy trust, an alliance of schools and a nursery in the Southampton and Waterside areas.

Hayley Clark, school Principal, said: “My colleagues and I have worked tirelessly to give the children the best education provision possible - we are incredibly proud of them. Thanks to the children, staff, supportive parents, guardians and Trust, Hightown has made significant improvements since 2016, when Ofsted inspectors said the school required improvement.

“The Good rating is especially meaningful to all of us because of the negative impact of the pandemic and, as identified in the Ofsted report, the school had undergone significant changes since the last inspection.

“We are in a fortunate position to be able to draw upon the resources of the Trust, with considerable experience and best teaching practice brought into classrooms as a result, including regular visits by Amanda Johnston, Director of Primary Education.

“As with many other schools following the pandemic, and mentioned by Ofsted, we do have pupils who are persistently missing from school; we are doing all we can to improve unauthorised absences.” “There are many successful strategies in place to work with families to improve attendance. Pupils’ attendance is improving rapidly. However, there still remain too many who persistently miss school. This hinders them from reaching their potential.”

As part of Hightown’s changes, an interim executive board has been put in place; trustees are currently forming an academy council whose members will have various aspects of governance delegated to them. Good school governance is important to help with the long-term vision of the school, including learning standards.

Claire Lowe, Inspire Learning Partnership’s Chief Executive Officer, said: “It was lovely to read Ofsted’s comments that pupils enjoy attending Hightown, that relationships between adults and pupils are strong, that staff know pupils and their families well, that children in the early years settle into school life happily and quickly and that arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

“It was also heartening to read in the report that pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities receive the help that they need to learn the same curriculum as their peers, with the school identifying these pupils’ needs carefully and swiftly.

“The community has much to be proud of with the school and we welcome volunteers who can make further positive differences to the daily lives of the children.”

In a number of positive observations, the report also stated: “Pupils strive to show the school’s ‘INSPIRE’ values, such as innovation and excellence, in their approach to work and behaviour.

“They love collecting ‘INSPIRE’ points by demonstrating these values in school. Most work hard and show positive behaviours.

“Pupils who need additional help to behave receive carefully considered pastoral support. This helps them understand their emotions well.”

In another comment, the report stated: “Pupils behave well. The school has recently introduced a new behaviour policy. This has had a positive impact on pupils’ behaviour in lessons and the playground.