Ofsted conducted a short inspection of Hamworthy Park Junior School on June 4, 2019, and the findings indicate that the school continues to maintain a good standard of education. The leadership team, under the effective guidance of Mr. Damian Hewitt, has successfully upheld the quality of education since the last inspection in May 2016. The partnership between the headteacher and the deputy headteacher has invigorated the school's leadership, supported by the Hamwic Education Trust, which has provided additional challenges and assistance in raising standards.
The focus on improving pupils' progress, particularly in reading and mathematics, has yielded positive results. Pupils are now more engaged and confident in expressing their ideas, leading to good progress in these subjects. Writing has also seen improvement, although there are areas such as spelling and writing for different purposes that require further attention. The school is actively addressing these aspects in its development plan.
The inclusive ethos of the school is evident in the support provided to pupils with special educational needs and disabilities, as well as those facing emotional challenges. The behavior of pupils is exemplary, contributing to a positive learning environment. Feedback from parents highlights the nurturing atmosphere of the school, which is characterized by a motivating curriculum.
Teachers and teaching assistants benefit from effective training, which enhances their subject knowledge and ability to meet diverse pupil needs. The school emphasizes the importance of knowing each pupil well, which supports successful learning outcomes. Governors work collaboratively with school leaders to oversee the strategic direction of the school and ensure the effective use of additional funds to support disadvantaged pupils. However, there is recognition that their monitoring efforts need to be more closely aligned with the school development plan.
Safeguarding practices are robust, with a strong culture of safety throughout the school. Staff undergo regular training to stay updated on safeguarding issues, ensuring that they are well-equipped to address any concerns regarding pupil welfare. The majority of parents, staff, and pupils express confidence in the school's ability to keep children safe.
The inspection focused on several key areas, including the progress of disadvantaged pupils, the effectiveness of teaching in achieving greater depth in learning, and the integration of literacy and mathematical skills across the curriculum. The school has made significant strides in improving the progress of disadvantaged pupils, with year-on-year improvements noted since becoming an academy. However, there remains a gap in attainment compared to their peers, prompting a strong focus on raising standards.
Teaching quality is consistently good, with effective interventions in place to support individual pupil needs. The curriculum has been reviewed and updated to enhance pupil engagement and interest in learning. Opportunities for pupils to apply their writing skills across subjects are present, although there is variability in the quality of written work. The school is addressing the need for consistency in expectations to ensure that pupils maintain their writing skills across the curriculum.
Next steps for the school include sustaining efforts to increase the proportion of pupils working at greater depth, particularly in writing, and further developing literacy and mathematical skills across all subjects. Governors are encouraged to strengthen their monitoring processes to align more closely with the school's improvement priorities. Overall, the inspection findings reflect a school that is committed to continuous improvement and the well-being of its pupils.
