Heighington Church of England Primary School, located in County Durham, was inspected on December 10-11, 2019, and received an overall effectiveness rating of good. The school has a strong inclusive ethos that reflects its Christian values, with pupils demonstrating pride in their school and welcoming visitors warmly. The atmosphere in lessons is calm and purposeful, with students eager to participate and displaying positive attitudes towards their learning. They express enjoyment in their studies, particularly in mathematics, although some pupils occasionally struggle to maintain focus due to activities that may not be well-suited to their needs.
The school offers a variety of after-school clubs, particularly in sports and music, which contribute to a well-rounded educational experience. The leadership team, including the recently appointed headteacher, has reorganized the school's structure to establish clear accountability and has initiated a curriculum review. This has led to rapid improvements in the quality of education provided. Early reading instruction is particularly strong, with children in Reception engaging with stories and rhymes in a vibrant environment. They receive daily phonics lessons, which continue into Key Stage 1, ensuring that by the end of this stage, all pupils meet the phonics screening check standard.
While the mathematics curriculum is well-structured and progressive, ensuring that pupils revisit and practice their skills, there are areas for improvement in subjects beyond English and mathematics. Leaders have reviewed their schemes of work to align with national curriculum objectives, but some key concepts in subjects like science and history are not as thoroughly developed as they could be. The school has allocated more time for extended projects to deepen pupils' understanding across various subjects.
The headteacher has implemented a detailed staff training program aimed at enhancing subject knowledge and supporting improvement priorities. However, some training elements are still pending completion, which has resulted in variability in curriculum implementation. The special educational needs coordinator ensures that systems are in place to support pupils with special educational needs and disabilities, with detailed plans reflecting individual needs. While most parents are satisfied with this aspect of the school's work, a small minority feel it could be improved.
The safeguarding arrangements at the school are effective, with staff well-trained in procedures and a strong emphasis on safeguarding during meetings. The headteacher is proactive in seeking support from external agencies and maintains detailed records of incidents. The curriculum includes proactive and responsive elements that equip pupils with the skills to keep themselves safe, particularly regarding internet use. Pupils report a lack of bullying and express confidence that any issues would be promptly addressed by teachers.
To further improve, the school needs to ensure that schemes of work for subjects beyond English and mathematics explicitly detail key concepts and that all leaders monitor the implementation of their schemes. Additionally, completing all planned training events is essential to minimize variability in curriculum delivery. Overall, Heighington Church of England Primary School demonstrates a commitment to providing a high-quality education and fostering a supportive learning environment for all its pupils.
