Great Bowden Academy, a Church of England Primary School located in Market Harborough, Leicestershire, was inspected on October 1 and 2, 2024. The school is part of the Learn Academies Trust, with Sarah Bishop serving as the headteacher. The inspection revealed that the quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and early years provision are all rated as good. The school previously received an outstanding grade in its last inspection in September 2014.
The school fosters positive and nurturing relationships between staff and pupils, creating a strong family ethos supported by Christian values. Pupils feel safe, enjoy attending school, and demonstrate good attendance. They express their concerns through a system of worry buddies, trusted adults who provide support. The school has high expectations for pupil achievement, which is reflected in their positive attitudes towards learning. Pupils adhere to the school rules of being ready, respectful, and responsible, and they treat each other and staff with courtesy.
Great Bowden Academy excels in early years education, providing children with a strong start in the Reception Year. Staff effectively utilize resources to design engaging learning activities that promote exploration and independence. The school prioritizes reading, with well-trained staff delivering a phonics program and providing additional support for pupils at risk of falling behind. Reading materials are carefully matched to pupils' learning levels, enhancing their fluency and confidence. The mathematics curriculum is also a strength, focusing on developing pupils' mathematical fluency and problem-solving skills.
While the school has established a robust curriculum in subjects like history, where pupils demonstrate secure knowledge recall, other subjects in the wider curriculum are still developing. The school recognizes the need to embed the new curriculum content to ensure pupils retain knowledge across all subjects. Additionally, the school has a clear approach to supporting pupils with special educational needs and disabilities, although there is room for improvement in adapting learning for these pupils across all subjects.
Pupils are well-prepared for life in modern Britain, demonstrating an understanding of diverse family structures and the importance of healthy relationships. They engage in various clubs and leadership opportunities, which foster their independence and personal growth. The school is attentive to staff well-being, providing professional development opportunities and ensuring a manageable workload.
The safeguarding arrangements at Great Bowden Academy are effective, ensuring a safe environment for all pupils. The school is encouraged to continue developing its curriculum to secure knowledge retention across all subjects and to enhance the adaptation of learning for pupils with special educational needs. Overall, Great Bowden Academy provides a supportive and ambitious educational environment, fostering both academic and personal development for its pupils.
