St Lawrence CofE Primary School in Hurstpierpoint, West Sussex, was inspected by Ofsted on November 2 and 3, 2021. The school received an overall effectiveness rating of good across all areas, including the quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and early years provision. This inspection marked the first routine evaluation since the school became an academy and followed a significant gap since its last inspection in 2007, during which it was rated outstanding.
Pupils at St Lawrence display enthusiasm for their school and learning, feeling a strong sense of community and safety. The leadership team has high expectations for all students and has implemented new teaching strategies in reading and mathematics, resulting in improved learning outcomes. Behaviour has notably improved under the new headteacher, with pupils demonstrating respect and engagement in their studies. Parents have acknowledged the positive changes in the school environment and the support provided to students with special educational needs and disabilities.
The new headteacher, appointed in January 2021, has quickly assessed the quality of education and fostered a collaborative spirit among staff and governors. The curriculum in mathematics is well-structured, allowing pupils to develop confidence and fluency. In reading, a new phonics curriculum has been introduced, and while younger pupils are progressing well, some older pupils require additional support to become fluent readers. Leaders recognize the need for further training for staff working with these pupils to enhance the effectiveness of the support provided.
The physical education curriculum has been recently revamped, ensuring it meets the needs of all pupils, including those with special educational needs. The school also offers a variety of extracurricular activities, which pupils enjoy, contributing to their personal development. However, leaders have identified that the planning for other foundation subjects is not yet as robust, which affects pupils' ability to retain and connect knowledge over time. Efforts are underway to improve this aspect of the curriculum.
The school has established a strong culture of safeguarding, with leaders prioritizing the safety and well-being of pupils. Staff are well-trained to identify and respond to safeguarding concerns, and new systems have been implemented to enhance safety measures within the school environment.
To further improve, the school needs to ensure that the curriculum in foundation subjects is clearly sequenced and tailored to meet the needs of all pupils, including those with special educational needs. Additionally, there is a need for systematic monitoring of pupils' independent reading to support those who may not be reading widely. The school is committed to addressing these areas for development to enhance the educational experience for all its pupils.
Overall, St Lawrence CofE Primary School demonstrates a strong commitment to providing a high-quality education and fostering a positive learning environment. The leadership team is dedicated to continuous improvement, ensuring that all pupils receive the support and opportunities they need to thrive academically and personally.
