INSPECTORS have praised a primary school’s “exceptionally” well-behaved pupils, caring relationships and ambitious curriculum.
Regulator Ofsted said the behaviour and attitudes of pupils at Hambrook Primary School was ‘outstanding’ and rated the school ‘good’ in all other areas – quality of education, personal development, leadership and management, and early years provision.
Two inspectors visited the school in Moorend Road, which has 196 pupils aged from four to 11 on its roll, last November.
They said: “Pupils behave exceptionally well at Hambrook Primary School. They show exemplary attitudes to their learning.
“Hambrook is an inclusive and welcoming school. The caring relationships in the school mean that pupils feel safe and happy.”
The inspectors said the school’s curriculum is “ambitious and is designed to develop pupils’ curiosity about the world and empathy for others”.
They highlighted the “sharp focus on reading”, from early teaching of phonics, rhymes and stories to developing more complex skills in older pupils.
The maths curriculum is “designed and sequenced well”, with clear explanation of new concepts, and pupils were “supported to catch up and keep up” in many subjects.
The inspectors also highlighted the school’s support for pupils’ mental health and well-being, support for children with special educational needs or disabilities, and teaching of “British values” including democracy and equal treatment for all.
Staff feel supported and “are proud to work at this school”, the inspectors said, reporting that leaders were mindful of workload and well-being.
To improve further the inspectors said the school needed to ensure the important knowledge that pupils need to learn and remember was identified in all subjects, to use assessment more precisely and adapt learning where necessary to address misconceptions.
Head teacher Jennifer Rubel said: “The inspectors were glowing about the work our school does in enabling our children to thrive, both personally and academically.
“They praised the range of opportunities we provide and the high quality learning that happens in all classrooms.
“In addition to the report we are rightly proud of continuing academic success. Out of the 97 primary schools in South Gloucestershire, we have been consistently ranked in the top 5 for the progress and attainment of our pupils, for the last five years running.
“On behalf of all Hambrook staff, we are very proud of the report but also the work we do each and every day to make Hambrook such a special school, in which our pupils thrive.”