Little Heaton Church of England Primary School, located in Middleton, Manchester, underwent an inspection on July 5 and 6, 2022. The overall effectiveness of the school was rated as requiring improvement, with specific areas such as the quality of education, personal development, and leadership and management also marked as requiring improvement. However, the behavior and attitudes of the pupils were rated as good, and early years provision was also deemed good.
Pupils at Little Heaton are generally happy and form positive relationships with their peers and staff, which contributes to a safe and supportive environment. They learn the importance of respect for others, regardless of differences, and most pupils demonstrate good behavior in lessons and throughout the school. While pupils show enthusiasm for learning and work hard in class, many do not achieve to their full potential due to previously low expectations set by school leaders regarding the curriculum. Recent efforts have been made to enhance the curriculum's ambition, but challenges remain in ensuring that all pupils, including those with special educational needs and disabilities, achieve well.
The school has made strides in providing a structured phonics program that supports early reading development. Children in the early years are encouraged to develop their spoken language and vocabulary, which prepares them for future academic challenges. However, there are still gaps in the curriculum that hinder some pupils, particularly those with SEND, from fully engaging with the learning material. Staff training has not been sufficient to equip teachers with the necessary skills to adapt their teaching methods for these pupils.
While the school has a range of extra-curricular activities, some pupils feel that there are not enough opportunities to enrich their personal development. The personal development curriculum does not adequately prepare pupils for life in modern society, which is an area identified for improvement. The governing body, recently appointed, is knowledgeable and ambitious for the school, providing appropriate support and challenge to school leaders.
The safeguarding arrangements at Little Heaton are effective, with staff receiving regular training to identify and respond to potential risks to pupils. Leaders maintain strong oversight of individual cases and collaborate with external agencies to support vulnerable pupils and their families. The curriculum includes opportunities for pupils to learn about safety in the community, such as bicycle safety and the risks associated with anti-social behavior.
To improve, the school must clarify expectations regarding what pupils should know in various subjects, ensuring that teachers can design effective learning experiences. Subject leaders need to provide better guidance to teachers to ensure consistent delivery of the curriculum. Additionally, training for teachers should focus on adapting teaching methods to meet the needs of all pupils, particularly those with SEND. Finally, the school should develop a coherent personal development curriculum that prepares pupils for their roles in modern society. Overall, while there are positive aspects of the school, significant work is needed to enhance the educational experience for all pupils.
