Mowmacre Hill Primary School, located in Leicester, has shown significant improvement since its previous inspection, achieving a rating of good across all areas evaluated. The leadership team, including governors and staff, has fostered a positive and inclusive school culture that promotes high standards and prepares pupils well for their future educational journeys. The Discovery Schools Academy Trust has played a crucial role in supporting the school’s development, providing staff with valuable training and resources that enhance their teaching practices. Teachers are dedicated to encouraging pupils to work hard and believe in their abilities, particularly in reading, which is effectively taught throughout the school.
Pupils at Mowmacre Hill demonstrate compassion and empathy, taking pride in their school and exhibiting good behavior. They feel safe and supported in their learning environment. The early years provision is well-managed, with teachers effectively planning to meet the needs of children, resulting in a growing number of pupils being well-prepared for Year 1. However, there is a need for greater parental involvement in early years learning, as well as improved attendance among disadvantaged pupils and those with special educational needs and disabilities.
The curriculum is strong in English and mathematics, but there are areas for improvement, particularly in subjects like geography and history, where deeper topic coverage is needed. Writing outcomes are not as strong as those in reading and mathematics, and the most able pupils are not consistently challenged. The school has identified the need to enhance the quality of teaching and assessment in writing and to ensure that all teachers maintain high expectations across all subjects.
To further improve, the school aims to deepen the curriculum in various subjects, enhance the quality of teaching and learning in writing, and ensure that the most able pupils are adequately challenged. Additionally, efforts will be made to reduce low-level disruptions in classrooms and improve attendance rates, particularly for disadvantaged pupils and those with SEND. The school is also focused on increasing parental engagement in early years education and raising the proportion of children achieving a good level of development.
The leadership and management of the school are effective, with leaders uniting staff around a shared vision and values. The school environment is vibrant and welcoming, with displays that reinforce positive messages and showcase pupils' learning. The governance provided by the local advisory board is strong, with members actively involved in raising standards and holding leaders accountable for the use of additional funding and safeguarding arrangements.
Safeguarding measures are robust, with a strong culture of safety promoted throughout the school. Staff are well-trained and informed about safeguarding responsibilities, ensuring that pupils feel secure and supported. The quality of teaching, learning, and assessment is good, with teachers demonstrating strong subject knowledge and effectively engaging pupils in their learning. However, there is a need for consistency in challenging the most able pupils and ensuring high expectations across all subjects.
Overall, Mowmacre Hill Primary School is on a positive trajectory, with a commitment to continuous improvement and a focus on providing a high-quality education for all its pupils. The school is well-positioned to address the areas for development identified in the inspection report and to build on its successes to further enhance the educational experience for its students.
