Barnard Grove Primary School, located in Hartlepool, has been recognized for its effective action in maintaining the standards established during its previous inspection. The headteacher, Lee Walker, leads the school, which is part of the Ad Astra Academy Trust, overseen by CEO Andy Brown and a board of trustees chaired by Richenda Broad. The school has created an environment where pupils feel proud, happy, safe, and valued, fostering a sense of community akin to a family. This positive atmosphere is evident in the warm relationships between staff and students, with pupils eager to make their teachers proud through hard work and achievement.
The school emphasizes high expectations encapsulated in its values of being ready, respectful, safe, and kind. Pupils understand and embody these values, receiving recognition for their demonstrations of them in daily activities. They exhibit kindness and responsibility, such as tidying up and holding doors for visitors without prompting. The school also prioritizes preparing pupils to be positive citizens, teaching them the importance of community involvement. Initiatives like kindness walks and local projects encourage pupils to engage with their community and understand the significance of giving back.
Pupils' experiences are enriched through various trips and visits, which they discuss with enthusiasm. Outings to places like Beamish and the local theatre, along with participation in extracurricular sporting clubs, contribute to a well-rounded education. Academically, pupils achieve well, with a strong focus on foundational knowledge from the early years. The school effectively teaches phonics and mathematics, ensuring that even the youngest children engage in problem-solving and apply their learning to real-life situations.
The staff at Barnard Grove Primary School are well-equipped to teach phonics, enabling pupils to utilize their phonetic knowledge with appropriately matched reading materials. Those who struggle with reading receive adequate support to keep pace with their peers, and pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) also make good progress in their reading skills. The school has developed an ambitious wider curriculum that allows pupils to learn about their local community and the broader world, covering topics such as local history and significant global events.
Recently, the school transitioned to mixed-age classes in key stage two, which has altered the order in which some pupils experience the curriculum. The school is actively working on redeveloping its curriculum to ensure that all pupils can build on their existing knowledge, fostering deeper understanding over time. Staff provide clear explanations and utilize effective modeling techniques, addressing misconceptions and encouraging pupils to engage confidently in lessons.
The school prides itself on being inclusive, with staff trained to identify pupils who may have SEND. Leaders are supporting a growing number of pupils with complex SEND needs, implementing adaptations to meet their requirements. However, further training for staff on how to best support these pupils is necessary to ensure they can regularly access the curriculum. Attendance is strong across the school, including among disadvantaged pupils and those with SEND, as the school actively works with families to address barriers to attendance.
Pupils demonstrate kindness towards one another, with older students often helping younger ones. They understand the concept of bullying and feel confident that any incidents would be addressed promptly by teachers. Leaders maintain an accurate understanding of the school's strengths and areas for improvement, with staff and parents noting their visibility and willingness to listen. Staff feel supported, and there is a shared pride in being part of the school community.
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, ensuring a safe environment for all pupils. However, the school recognizes the need to continue developing its curriculum to ensure that pupils can make connections between prior and new learning, particularly in foundation subjects affected by the mixed-age classes. Additionally, addressing the needs of pupils with complex SEND through enhanced staff training remains a priority. Overall, Barnard Grove Primary School continues to provide a supportive and effective educational experience for its pupils.
