Milton Hall Primary School and Nursery, located in Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex, has received a positive inspection report, highlighting its overall effectiveness as good. The inspection took place on April 16 and 17, 2024, and the school has maintained this good rating since its previous inspection in October 2018. The quality of education, behavior and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and early years provision were all rated as good.
Pupils at Milton Hall Primary School express pride in their school and enjoy their time there, particularly during lunch breaks when they socialize with friends from different classes. They demonstrate an understanding of the school rules, which emphasize being ready, respectful, and safe. This understanding fosters a focused and supportive learning environment where pupils encourage one another to behave well. Staff are quick to address any incidents, ensuring a safe atmosphere for all students.
The school sets high expectations for its pupils, who show a keen interest in their learning and strive to succeed. They develop skills for independent work, including those with special educational needs and disabilities. Pupils take pride in their achievements and are motivated to produce quality work. The school promotes a culture of happiness and respect, where differences among individuals are acknowledged and celebrated. Pupils enjoy various opportunities to explore their talents and interests, including roles as pupil ambassadors, which help them build teamwork skills and resilience.
The curriculum at Milton Hall is ambitious and well-structured, allowing pupils to revisit and review prior learning. This approach helps them retain knowledge across most subjects. However, published outcomes do not fully reflect the quality of the curriculum, partly due to high pupil mobility. Despite this, pupils, including those who speak English as an additional language, make good progress from their starting points.
Staff at the school are well-trained and confident in delivering the curriculum effectively. They maintain high expectations for pupil behavior and generally review prior learning before introducing new concepts. This practice helps pupils build on their existing knowledge. While most subjects receive effective additional support to help pupils keep up, there are instances where this support is inconsistent, leading to some pupils not achieving their full potential.
Reading instruction begins as soon as pupils start school, enabling them to develop phonetic skills quickly. Regular reading practice is encouraged, and books are matched to pupils' reading abilities. The school provides effective catch-up sessions for those who need additional support, ensuring early readers develop fluency. Older pupils express enthusiasm for reading and share their favorite authors and stories.
In the early years, children receive a strong foundation for their education, engaging in well-planned activities that promote language development and social skills. They respond positively to high expectations from adults, leading to good behavior and preparation for future learning stages. The school effectively identifies pupils with special educational needs and provides tailored support to help them progress.
Pupils generally exhibit good behavior, working hard and respecting others. The school prioritizes safety and well-being, ensuring all pupils meet high standards. The curriculum also addresses personal development, teaching pupils about safety and healthy living. Leaders, local authorities, and governors collaborate effectively to support the school, maintaining a shared understanding of its priorities and strengths. Staff appreciate the commitment of leaders to assist with workload and well-being.
The school has effective safeguarding arrangements in place. However, there are areas for improvement, particularly in ensuring that staff consistently check for gaps in pupils' learning. This will help all pupils keep pace with the curriculum and achieve their best possible progress. Overall, Milton Hall Primary School and Nursery demonstrates a strong commitment to providing quality education and fostering a positive environment for its pupils.
