Havelock Primary School, Nursery & ARP has been recognized as a good school following its recent inspection on February 7 and 8, 2024. The school emphasizes its core values, focusing on equality and respect for others' rights. Pupils are encouraged to express their opinions and engage in democratic processes, such as electing representatives for various responsibilities, including sports and reading. The school fosters an environment where children can share their feelings, starting from the Nursery Year, where they are asked about their emotions each day. This supportive atmosphere contributes to a sense of safety and trust among pupils, who feel confident that there are adults available to help them with any issues.
The school maintains high expectations for all students' achievements, regularly assessing their retention of important information. Teaching is adapted to address any gaps in understanding, particularly for those in the specially resourced provision for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities. This approach has led to high levels of achievement among pupils. The curriculum aligns with national standards, ensuring that knowledge and skills are effectively sequenced from early years onward, allowing pupils to build on their learning progressively.
Pupils are provided with numerous opportunities to read and enjoy literature, with daily phonics instruction starting from the Reception Year. The school ensures that reading materials are matched to pupils' phonics knowledge. However, there have been instances where phonics sounds were demonstrated incorrectly, leading to misconceptions that hindered some pupils' reading progress. The school is aware of this issue and is committed to providing training to ensure phonics is taught accurately.
Communication and engagement with staff are prioritized, with leaders considering staff well-being in decision-making. The governing body participates in training to understand their responsibilities, particularly regarding safeguarding pupils' welfare. The school has established a culture of focus and attentiveness in classrooms, with minimal disruption from low-level behavior issues. Attendance is closely monitored, and the school takes swift action to address any concerns regarding frequent absences.
The curriculum also includes teachings about diverse beliefs and family structures, promoting understanding and respect for differences. Pupils receive age-appropriate safety information, including online safety, with digital leaders providing resources for parents. The school offers a variety of extracurricular activities, including art, cooking, and sports, ensuring equal access for all pupils.
The safeguarding arrangements at Havelock Primary School are effective, contributing to a safe learning environment. The school has identified areas for improvement, particularly in phonics instruction, where consistent modeling of sounds is necessary to prevent misconceptions. The school is committed to ongoing training and monitoring to enhance the quality of phonics teaching.
This inspection marks the first routine evaluation since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the inspector took the pandemic's impact into account during the assessment. The school has undergone leadership changes, with co-headteachers appointed in September 2023, although one is currently leading the school alone during an interim period. The specially resourced provision for pupils with moderate learning difficulties, autism, or communication challenges is an integral part of the school's offerings, ensuring that all pupils receive the support they need to thrive. Overall, Havelock Primary School continues to demonstrate its commitment to providing a high-quality education in a nurturing environment.
