Hedon Primary School, located in Hull, underwent an inspection on November 7 and 8, 2023, and received an overall effectiveness rating of Requires Improvement. The quality of education was also rated as Requires Improvement, while behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management were rated as Good. The early years provision was similarly rated as Good. This inspection follows a previous rating of Requires Improvement from November 2019.
The school is described as welcoming and kind, with high expectations for pupil behaviour that are well understood by students. This creates a calm and orderly learning environment where pupils feel safe. The school aims to inspire pupils to aspire and achieve, providing a broad and interesting curriculum. While pupils excel in certain subjects, such as reading, there are areas where learning is not as deep, particularly in mathematics, where the curriculum is still developing.
Staff at Hedon Primary are proactive in enhancing pupils' personal development, encouraging them to contribute positively to the school and society. Pupils engage in charitable activities and take on leadership roles, demonstrating a sense of responsibility. The school has made strides in developing an effective reading curriculum, and improvements in subjects like science and physical education have been well implemented, leading to positive learning outcomes.
However, the mathematics curriculum requires further attention. There is inconsistency in how mathematics is taught, resulting in pupils not building their skills and knowledge securely over time. Leaders recognize the need for additional work to ensure improvements in this area. In the early years, children begin learning to read as soon as they enter Reception, benefiting from a well-structured phonics program. Daily reading lessons in key stages one and two foster a love for reading among pupils.
In the wider curriculum, while pupils express enthusiasm for subjects like geography and design and technology, the systematic development of their skills and knowledge is lacking. The curriculum is not sequenced logically, which affects pupils' understanding. Additionally, the school has seen an increase in pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), and while some receive good support, others do not have their needs precisely identified or met. Staff training in this area is insufficient, leading to gaps in support for these pupils.
Pupils generally exhibit good behaviour in classrooms and throughout the school, attending regularly and arriving ready to learn. The curriculum promotes understanding of world religions, healthy relationships, and respect for differences. The early years environment is stimulating, allowing children to explore and learn through play while also engaging in more formal teaching sessions.
Leaders are aware of the areas needing improvement and have established clear plans to address them. They support staff and have taken steps to manage workloads effectively. The governing body provides appropriate support and challenge, with governors actively engaging with the school community.
The safeguarding arrangements at Hedon Primary are effective, ensuring the safety and well-being of all pupils. To improve, the school must focus on implementing the mathematics curriculum more effectively, ensuring that all pupils secure the necessary knowledge and skills. Additionally, the curriculum in some subjects needs to be developed further to ensure that key concepts are sequenced logically. Finally, the school must enhance its identification of SEND needs and provide better training for staff to support these pupils effectively.
