Harrogate Grove Road Community Primary School has been recognized as a good school following its inspection on October 25 and 26, 2023. The school fosters a positive environment where pupils are happy, friendly, and confident, embodying the school’s PRIDE values, which emphasize resilience and empathy. Attendance is high, and students demonstrate a strong enthusiasm for learning, often expressing pride in their involvement in school activities, such as the school council, where they actively engage in charitable initiatives.
The school prioritizes the safety and well-being of its pupils, with effective measures in place to prevent bullying. Students feel secure and believe that any issues would be promptly addressed by the staff. Most pupils exhibit commendable behavior and understand the importance of equality and respect towards others. However, there are instances where some students require reminders about appropriate conduct during lessons.
Despite the school’s ambition for its pupils, recent leadership and staffing changes have impacted student achievement. The new leadership team has identified key areas for improvement and is actively working to enhance educational outcomes. Early signs of progress are evident, particularly in mathematics, where staff are optimistic about future developments.
The curriculum is well-structured and sequenced across all subjects, with a focus on breaking learning into manageable steps. Leaders are attentive to how the early years curriculum prepares children for subsequent years. Assessment systems are in place to monitor pupil knowledge retention, and in subjects like mathematics, students can articulate their learning effectively, demonstrating a solid understanding of previously acquired knowledge. However, this level of understanding is not consistent across all subjects.
Leadership conducts checks on curriculum delivery, but some of these evaluations lack rigor, leading to an overly positive perception of subject implementation. In certain lessons, a minority of pupils display off-task behavior and do not take pride in their work, which can be attributed to inconsistent teaching methods. In subjects such as music, key knowledge is not always taught explicitly, resulting in gaps in pupil understanding.
The school places a strong emphasis on early reading and phonics, with a well-established program that begins in Nursery. This program effectively supports pupils in developing their reading skills, and the school has seen positive results in the Year 1 phonics screening check. However, there are occasions when reading materials provided to pupils are too challenging, and leaders are working to improve reading achievement and foster a positive reading culture.
The early years environment is conducive to learning, with adults effectively engaging with children to enhance their language and cognitive skills through play. The school promptly identifies children with special educational needs and disabilities, ensuring they receive appropriate support. The targeted mainstream provision offers a safe space for pupils with complex needs, allowing for full inclusion in school life.
Extracurricular opportunities are available for pupils to explore their interests, including sports clubs and community events. The governing body remains supportive of the new leadership team and is committed to the school’s development. They fulfill their statutory duties and maintain a clear understanding of the educational quality within the school. The local authority has increased support for the school, and leaders are mindful of staff workload and well-being, contributing to a positive working environment.
The safeguarding arrangements at the school are effective, ensuring the safety and welfare of all pupils. The inspection highlighted areas for improvement, particularly in the rigor of curriculum checks and the need for subject leaders to align implementation with the school’s ambitious goals. Overall, Harrogate Grove Road Community Primary School continues to provide a good educational experience for its pupils, with a clear path for future enhancements.
