East Huntspill Primary Academy, located in Highbridge, Somerset, underwent an ungraded inspection on April 26, 2023. The overall judgement remains good, but evidence suggests that a graded inspection might yield a lower rating. The next inspection will be graded. Pupils express pride in attending this small, caring school, appreciating the high ambitions set by the leaders. They enjoy celebrating their achievements and feel welcomed, especially those who join at different points in their education.
Recent changes in behaviour expectations have been implemented by the leaders, with older pupils taking on leadership roles, such as play leaders, which has improved structure during break times. However, these expectations are not consistently applied in lessons, leading to some pupils behaving in ways that disrupt others' learning. The new school rules, focusing on respect for oneself, others, and the environment, are well understood and appreciated by the pupils, who report improvements in the school environment.
Leaders aim to provide a wide range of experiences for pupils, organizing trips and inviting visitors to support learning. A variety of after-school clubs, including arts and crafts, boxercise, and coding, are well attended and enjoyed by pupils. The curriculum is broad and ambitious, particularly in mathematics, where learning is sequenced effectively. However, some subjects lack clarity regarding the specific knowledge to focus on, leading to activities that do not align with planned learning.
Teachers assess pupils' understanding and help them recall prior learning, but they sometimes fail to identify gaps in knowledge. In the nursery, activities are well-structured to promote language development, although the curriculum is planned separately from Reception, which leaders are addressing. Behaviour management strategies have been introduced, and while most pupils understand and follow these expectations, inconsistency in staff responses to disruptive behaviour remains an issue.
Phonics instruction is systematic, ensuring that early readers receive appropriate support. Pupils learn in small groups tailored to their needs, and reading is prioritized across the school. Parents are involved in their children's reading through initiatives like reading cafés and borrowing books from the school. The SENDCo ensures that staff are well-informed to support pupils with special educational needs and disabilities, allowing all pupils to access the curriculum effectively.
Personal, social, and health education is well-planned, covering important topics such as safety and community risks. Pupils contribute to school life through the school parliament, focusing on environmental issues. Leaders and governors are clear about school priorities and improvement steps, feeling supported by the trust. Staff express pride in their work and appreciate the support they receive, which helps manage their workload and develop their subject knowledge.
Safeguarding arrangements are effective, with clear protocols for reporting concerns and regular training for staff. Pupils are educated about safeguarding risks and feel confident to approach trusted adults with concerns. The school has identified areas for improvement, including ensuring that pupils build on prior learning and addressing gaps in knowledge. Consistency in applying behaviour expectations is also a focus for leaders moving forward. The school converted to an academy in April 2021 and has not been previously inspected. The principal has been in post since September 2022, leading the school alongside two other primary academies.
