Hennock Community Primary School, located in Devon, has undergone an ungraded inspection on June 6, 2024, and has maintained its overall judgment of good. The headteacher, Sarah Reddington, leads the school, which is part of the Link Academy Trust. The trust, overseen by CEO Nicola Dunford and a board of trustees chaired by Cheryl Mathieson, shares responsibility for the school's governance. The inspection highlighted that while the school has made progress, there are areas that require improvement, particularly in curriculum delivery and assessment practices.
The school has experienced staffing changes, and leaders have prioritized strengthening the curriculum to ensure high expectations for all pupils. Although this effort is positively impacting the quality of education, it is still in the early stages, and the curriculum does not yet fully support all pupils in building their knowledge effectively. Pupils express pride in attending Hennock Community Primary School, describing it as a welcoming environment where they feel safe and nurtured. The school promotes positive attitudes towards learning, and initiatives like class charters help establish clear expectations for behavior.
Attendance is actively encouraged, with regular tracking and collaboration with families to ensure pupils attend school consistently. The school is also committed to community engagement, with pupils participating in projects such as designing and serving meals to local residents. This involvement enhances the curriculum and fosters a sense of belonging among students.
While the school is determined to ensure all pupils learn the curriculum well, there are challenges in identifying and sequencing the precise knowledge required across various subjects. In mathematics, for instance, the school has made strides in preparing pupils for future learning, starting from the pre-school level. However, in many subjects, the lack of clarity in the knowledge pupils need to acquire has resulted in gaps, particularly for those with special educational needs and disabilities. This has made future learning more challenging for some students.
Teachers employ various strategies to support learning, including revisiting prior knowledge and using assessments to identify gaps. However, the effectiveness of assessment varies across subjects, leading to some pupils having unaddressed misconceptions. The school promotes reading through daily storytime, and while pupils enjoy this, some struggle to read fluently and confidently due to insufficient support in phonics instruction.
To maintain a calm and orderly environment, the school has established routines and expectations for behavior. Additional support is provided for pupils who may struggle with behavior management. However, there are instances where learning is disrupted due to lapses in behavioral expectations.
Beyond academics, the school emphasizes the importance of personal development, teaching pupils about safety, health, and equality. Pupil voice is integral to the school, with students taking on various roles that allow them to contribute to the school community. Staff members feel supported in their roles, and the headteacher, along with the trust and governors, has a clear understanding of the school's strengths and areas for improvement.
The safeguarding arrangements at Hennock Community Primary School are effective, ensuring the safety and well-being of all pupils. Moving forward, the school must focus on clearly identifying and sequencing the knowledge pupils need to learn, enhancing assessment practices, and providing adequate support for reading instruction to ensure all pupils can achieve their full potential.
