Holbrook Primary School, located in Horsham, West Sussex, has been recognized as a good school following its inspection on June 27 and 28, 2023. The school fosters a positive environment where pupils feel valued and supported as individuals. From the early years, children are encouraged to strive for their best, which is reflected in the strong relationships built within the school community. The school's vision, Aiming high, succeeding together, is evident in the way staff and pupils interact.
In the Reception class, children experience a stimulating learning environment that helps them settle in quickly and form friendships. The high levels of care provided by staff contribute to pupils feeling safe and secure. They are confident in approaching adults with any concerns, and incidents of bullying are rare, with pupils trusting that staff will address any issues effectively.
The leadership team at Holbrook Primary School is ambitious for all pupils to succeed, providing effective emotional and academic support. This commitment ensures that all pupils, including those with special educational needs and disabilities, achieve well. Teachers maintain high expectations for both learning and behavior, which encourages pupils to persevere and engage actively in lessons. The school has a low incidence of disruption, and pupils demonstrate strong attitudes towards learning, particularly enjoying opportunities for discussion that deepen their understanding.
The curriculum at Holbrook is ambitious and designed to stimulate pupils' thinking while consolidating their learning. Subject leaders have carefully sequenced essential knowledge, allowing pupils to build their understanding coherently across most subjects. For instance, in physical education, the focus on agility, balance, and coordination helps pupils revisit and deepen their knowledge. However, in a few subjects where leaders are new, the curriculum lacks precise identification of specific learning steps, which can hinder some pupils from achieving their full potential.
Reading is prioritized as a fundamental skill for all learning. The school employs a well-structured phonics program, ensuring that children in Reception learn letter sounds from the outset. If any child falls behind, teachers act swiftly to provide support. Older pupils engage in shared reading sessions, fostering a love for reading and enhancing their fluency and comprehension by Year 6.
Mathematics instruction is effective, with pupils in Reception quickly learning numbers and shapes through practical activities. Older pupils consistently use correct mathematical language when justifying their answers in reasoning and problem-solving tasks. The staff in the early years are highly skilled, understanding the needs of young learners, while teachers across the school demonstrate good subject knowledge and provide engaging lessons.
The school culture promotes strong support for staff, fostering high levels of trust and professional development opportunities. Staff feel well-supported in focusing on impactful tasks that enhance pupils' learning. Leaders take pride in promoting pupils' wider development, encouraging tolerance and acceptance among students. Older pupils serve as role models for younger ones, contributing positively to the school community.
The safeguarding arrangements at Holbrook Primary School are effective, with a strong culture of safeguarding embedded throughout the school. Staff are well-trained and know how to respond to concerns about pupils. Regular safety lessons equip pupils with the knowledge to make good decisions, particularly regarding social media.
To improve further, leaders need to ensure that the curriculum in a few foundation subjects is developed to identify the sequence of knowledge more precisely, enabling all pupils to build their understanding effectively. Overall, Holbrook Primary School continues to provide a supportive and enriching environment for its pupils, ensuring their academic and personal growth.
