Hoyland Common Primary School, located in Barnsley, South Yorkshire, has been evaluated as a good school following its inspection in July 2022. The school demonstrates a strong commitment to providing a high-quality education, fostering positive behavior and attitudes among pupils, and promoting personal development. The leadership and management of the school are effective, with leaders maintaining high expectations and a clear vision for continuous improvement. The school is inclusive, ensuring that all pupils are treated equally and have access to a broad and ambitious curriculum.
Pupils at Hoyland Common Primary School are described as polite, articulate, and enthusiastic about learning. They exhibit good behavior in lessons and enjoy a variety of activities during playtime. The school provides a range of resources, including computerised pods for games and films, which pupils particularly enjoy. The school has a low incidence of bullying, and pupils are well-informed about different types of bullying, including cyber-bullying. Recent leadership changes have been managed effectively, ensuring that the school continues to improve.
The curriculum is well-planned, with a focus on important knowledge across subjects such as art, design, and science. Teachers utilize these plans to create engaging lessons that enhance pupils' understanding. The mathematics curriculum is particularly strong, allowing pupils to revisit prior learning and build on their skills systematically. However, in some subjects, leaders are still refining the curriculum, and there are instances where teachers may lack sufficient subject knowledge to support all pupils effectively, particularly those with special educational needs and disabilities.
The school places a strong emphasis on early reading, with a well-organized phonics program that supports pupils from their first days in school. Teachers are trained to deliver this program effectively, regularly assessing pupils' progress to ensure they are reading appropriate materials. While additional support is provided for those struggling with reading, there are concerns about the consistency and effectiveness of this support.
In the early years, the curriculum aims to prepare children for future learning, with staff fostering warm relationships and encouraging communication. However, there are areas for improvement, particularly in creating a stimulating environment that promotes language and vocabulary development. The personal development curriculum teaches pupils about respect and helpfulness, but there is a need for greater emphasis on British values and cultural awareness.
The school benefits from effective support from the multi-academy trust, with regular visits from representatives to hold leaders accountable. The safeguarding arrangements are effective, with staff trained to identify and report concerns. However, there is a need for improved organization of safeguarding records to ensure timely support for pupils.
To enhance the quality of education further, leaders must ensure that all staff receive appropriate training to meet the diverse needs of pupils, particularly those with special educational needs. Subject leaders should monitor curriculum implementation more effectively to identify areas where teachers require additional support. Additionally, improvements are needed in the early years to utilize the environment better for promoting independent learning and language development. Overall, Hoyland Common Primary School is a good school with a strong foundation for continued growth and improvement.
