St Hilda’s Ampleforth Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School is a small, friendly institution located in North Yorkshire. The school fosters a family-like atmosphere where pupils, parents, and teachers are well-acquainted and supportive of one another. The school community emphasizes happiness and safety, ensuring that children feel secure while learning and playing together. Teachers are dedicated to creating an engaging learning environment, encouraging pupils to challenge themselves and learn collaboratively. The inclusion of students with special educational needs and disabilities is a priority, allowing all children to participate in various activities, including sports.
The school has made significant strides since the last inspection, particularly in improving educational standards in reading, writing, and mathematics. Leaders have focused on enhancing the quality of education, resulting in more pupils being able to apply their skills across different subjects. Teachers design lessons that are interesting and encourage pupils to articulate their thoughts and resolve misunderstandings. For instance, Year 6 students demonstrated their understanding of art and culture through discussions about masks they created, linking their art lessons to historical contexts.
In mathematics, Year 4 pupils effectively recalled prior knowledge about fractions to solve problems, while Year 2 students connected their learning about seasonal changes to scientific concepts. The school is in the process of developing comprehensive plans for all subjects to ensure that pupils build their knowledge progressively over time. Reading has been prioritized, with staff receiving training to improve phonics instruction. Most pupils are now gaining the necessary skills to read and spell effectively, with early readers receiving books that match their phonetic knowledge, boosting their confidence and fluency.
Despite these advancements, the early years provision requires improvement. While children are well cared for and follow classroom routines, there is a need for more challenging activities during independent play. Staff occasionally miss opportunities to enhance children's vocabulary and encourage deeper thinking. The school recognizes the importance of personal and social development, with physical education being a key focus. Competitive sports and various activities provide social opportunities for pupils, promoting both physical and mental well-being.
Leaders and governors have established clear priorities for the school's development, working collaboratively with other local schools to enhance professional learning and curriculum planning. Safeguarding measures are effective, with staff trained to recognize and address any concerns regarding pupil welfare. Pupils express feeling safe and supported, demonstrating an understanding of how to stay safe in various situations.
To further improve, the school needs to ensure that the curriculum is coherently planned and sequenced, particularly in foundation subjects. Leaders are already taking steps to address this, including designing a curriculum plan that accommodates mixed-age classes and establishes clear end points for assessing progress. Enhancements in early reading and mathematics teaching are underway, with a focus on incorporating children's feedback into assessments and ensuring that learning experiences provide appropriate challenges. Overall, St Hilda’s is a school that is committed to fostering a supportive and effective learning environment while continuously striving for improvement.
