Filton Hill Primary School, located in Bristol, has undergone an ungraded inspection on July 16 and 17, 2024, with the overall judgement remaining as good. The headteacher, Sharon Clark, leads the school, which is part of The Olympus Academy Trust, overseen by CEO Dave Baker and chair Sarah Williams. The inspection highlighted that while the school maintains a good status, evidence suggests that a graded inspection might yield a lower rating if conducted now. The next inspection will be graded.
The school is characterized by a welcoming environment where relationships between staff and pupils are nurturing. Pupils feel safe and have access to trusted adults for support. Following leadership changes, the new team has identified areas for improvement and has made positive strides, fostering a culture where pupils understand the school’s values of being ready, respectful, and safe. Bullying is reported as rare, with staff actively helping to resolve any issues.
Curriculum improvements have been made, with higher aspirations for pupil learning leading to some positive outcomes. However, these changes are not yet fully embedded, resulting in low national test outcomes in reading, writing, and mathematics for 2023. Pupils have access to various extracurricular opportunities, including educational visits and leadership roles, promoting kindness and responsibility.
The curriculum is well-sequenced and ambitious, focusing on essential knowledge and vocabulary development. However, there are gaps in pupils' understanding due to inconsistent assessment practices, leading to a lack of secure knowledge before advancing to new content. This inconsistency affects the overall impact of the curriculum on pupil learning, as evidenced by the national test results.
The school is committed to inclusivity, providing support for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities. While teachers have clear plans to meet these needs, some pupils have faced challenges due to high staff turnover, impacting their support. Reading has been prioritized, with staff trained in phonics, resulting in improved early reading outcomes. Pupils enjoy reading and engage with high-quality texts linked to their curriculum.
Pupil behavior is generally positive, with clear expectations and rewards for hard work. While lessons are mostly orderly, occasional disruptions are managed effectively by staff. The school has implemented robust systems to improve attendance, working closely with families to address persistent absenteeism, which remains a concern.
The school emphasizes broader pupil development through enriching experiences beyond the classroom. Educational trips enhance learning, and the curriculum for personal development ensures pupils understand equality and online safety. However, relationships with some parents have been strained due to past changes, although those with parents of younger pupils are more positive.
The school is focused on improvement, with dedicated staff and effective trust support beginning to show positive impacts. Safeguarding arrangements are effective, ensuring pupil safety and well-being. The school must enhance assessment consistency to identify knowledge gaps and fully embed recent curriculum developments to improve pupil outcomes. Strengthening efforts to address persistent absenteeism is also essential for ensuring all pupils benefit from their education. Overall, Filton Hill Primary School demonstrates a commitment to fostering a supportive and enriching learning environment while recognizing areas for further development.
