Ofsted conducted a short inspection of Husbands Bosworth Church of England Primary School on 9 July 2019, following its previous inspection in October 2013, which rated the school as good. The findings indicate that the school continues to maintain a good standard of education. The leadership team has effectively upheld the quality of education, and the school is recognized as a small, welcoming institution that is integral to the local community. Pupils express positive sentiments about their educational experiences and demonstrate pride in their school, embodying the values of being ready, responsible, and respectful. Feedback from parents and carers indicates that they believe their children are happy and safe at the school.
Since the last inspection, the school has joined the Learn Academies Trust, and the leadership team has accurately identified strengths and areas for improvement. A focus on enhancing mathematics outcomes, particularly for the most able pupils, has been prioritized. The school has utilized the expertise of a specialist from the trust to support staff development in this area. Provisional assessment data for 2019 shows improvements in key stage 1 mathematics, and internal tracking indicates positive progress across all classes. However, school leaders acknowledge the need for time to embed key strategies to ensure sustained improvements.
The trust provides strategic guidance to address the school's main priorities, and the local governing body plays an active role in supporting and challenging school leaders. While there are positive developments, there are still areas needing attention. For instance, teachers do not consistently tailor tasks to match pupils' abilities, particularly for the most able, which affects progress in subjects like science. Additionally, assessments of pupils' capabilities are not always effectively used to inform subsequent learning steps.
In the early years, the learning environment is vibrant, but children do not progress as strongly in writing as in other subjects. Teaching does not always build on children's existing knowledge and skills, particularly for the most able, leading to a lack of engagement in writing activities.
Safeguarding measures are effective, with a strong culture of safety within the school. Pupils feel secure and report positively about interactions with visitors such as the police and fire service. Staff are well-trained in safeguarding responsibilities, and governors are aware of their roles in ensuring compliance with statutory duties. Concerns about bullying raised by some parents are taken seriously, and evidence shows that issues are addressed promptly.
The inspection found that leaders have made progress in addressing previous areas for improvement, particularly in writing across the curriculum. Pupils report positively about their writing experiences, and outcomes in reading and writing have been above or in line with national averages in recent years. However, there is still a need for more consistent challenge for the most able pupils, particularly in writing, to ensure that more children exceed expectations by the end of the early years.
Pupils demonstrate positive behavior and respect for one another and their school. The next steps for the school include ensuring that teachers consistently use assessments to set appropriately challenging tasks and fostering more positive attitudes towards writing in the early years. The inspection highlights the school's commitment to continuous improvement and the importance of addressing identified areas to enhance educational outcomes for all pupils.
