Ofsted conducted a monitoring inspection of Ashbourne Hilltop Primary and Nursery School on November 30, 2023, following two successive judgments of requires improvement. The purpose of this inspection was to assess the progress made by the school since its last graded inspection, rather than to provide an overall effectiveness grade. The inspection involved discussions with the headteacher, school leaders, governors, and a local authority representative, as well as a review of improvement plans, curriculum documents, and safeguarding arrangements.
The inspection found that while progress has been made, further work is necessary for the school to achieve a good rating. The school has undergone significant leadership changes, with new subject leaders for mathematics and English, as well as a new early years leader and SENDCo. These changes have enhanced the school's capacity for improvement. The leadership team is ambitious for all pupils to achieve well and has responded effectively to previous inspection recommendations. Support from the local authority and external specialists has been instrumental in driving necessary changes in curriculum, early years provision, subject leadership, and support for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
In the early years, the learning environment has been improved to support curriculum implementation, with a focus on developing children's language and communication skills. The curriculum is well-structured to build knowledge as children progress through early years into Year 1. However, further refinements are needed to tailor the curriculum to meet the specific needs of all children. Subject leaders have received high-quality professional development and have taken ownership of their subjects, leading to refined curriculum planning and a clear understanding of the curriculum's intent. Additional support is required to help leaders monitor the implementation and impact of the curriculum effectively.
The school has made significant improvements in its provision for pupils with SEND. Staff are well-trained to identify and support the needs of these pupils, who learn alongside their peers. However, not all support plans for pupils with SEND are sufficiently detailed to ensure optimal achievement. The governing body has a clear understanding of the improvements needed and actively engages with the school to monitor progress. They work collaboratively with staff and the local authority to identify priorities for improvement, and the plans in place are focused and achievable, considering staff workload and well-being.
The school has also made strides in improving pupil behavior during social times, establishing high expectations and a consistent approach to behavior management. Pupils have reported a positive change in behavior over the past year, attributing this to the engaging activities provided during breaks. The school has sought external support to enhance its improvement efforts, valuing the guidance from the local authority, a local trust, and external specialists.
Overall, while Ashbourne Hilltop Primary and Nursery School has made commendable progress since the last inspection, there remains a need for continued focus on refining SEND documentation, developing subject leadership, and ensuring that all pupils receive the support they need to achieve their best. The leadership team is committed to these improvements and is actively working towards creating a high-quality educational experience for all pupils. The inspection highlighted the importance of ongoing development in leadership, curriculum implementation, and support for pupils with diverse needs to ensure that the school can ultimately achieve a good rating in future inspections.
