‘Awesome year’ sees Hutton Cranswick Primary rated good

Pupils’ attitudes to learning at Hutton Cranswick Community Primary School are strong and they are keen to learn and do their best. – These were some of the findings made by the Ofsted inspector when she visited the school on 3rd July and judged that the school continues to be good.

The inspector, Gina White, found that headteacher Liz Burkinshaw had brought about ‘subtle’ changes, which staff, parents, carers and pupils felt have helped to make the school even better.

The report read: “With the support of governors and your senior leadership team, you have put in place clear procedures and processes that have brought greater consistency to the school’s work and higher expectations of pupils and staff.

“The changes have been subtle and in discussions, staff, governors and the school’s local authority link officer referred to them as ‘tweaks’ which have helped to strengthen aspects of teaching and learning, behaviour and the welfare and safety of pupils.”

The inspector found parents and pupils have pride in the school and pupils conduct themselves well.

She said: “It is clear from the latest Parent View survey and my discussions with parents and pupils that they feel a great affinity with and pride in their school and they would not hesitate to recommend it to any new parent or child moving to the area.

“In lessons and around the school, pupils conduct themselves well. They are friendly and keen to help others.

“They are clear about the expectations the school has of them. Teachers manage behaviour well in lessons.”

Pupils’ work and attitude to learning was also praised by the inspector.
She said: “Pupils enjoy their work. Topic books and displays of work show that they are encountering interesting experiences and projects in a broad range of subjects such as science, history, geography and religious education (RE).

“The introduction of activities using outdoor and woodland areas is providing more stimulation for writing.

“Pupils work productively in lessons and their books show that they are using more complex words and sentence structures.

“Pupils’ attitudes to learning are strong. They settle quickly to tasks and concentrate for sustained periods. Pupils are keen to learn and do their best.”

The governing body was also praised by the inspector: “Governors have a secure knowledge of the difference the school is making to pupils through their careful examination of data, checks on procedures and discussions with pupils,” she added.

In order to keep improving, the inspector noted that leaders and those responsible for governance should ensure that progression in pupils’ knowledge and understanding in subjects is sequenced carefully in curriculum planning to deepen learning and enable children to achieve more and that the school’s monitoring is focused on what children are learning and remembering.

Headteacher Liz Burkinshaw said: “We are delighted with our Ofsted outcome of ‘good’.

“We are very fortunate at Hutton Cranswick CP School to have such a strong team of dedicated staff and volunteers, committed governors, supportive parents/carers and above all enthusiastic, caring children.

“As a school we have focused on ‘being the best we can be’ in all areas of school life.

“The children have risen to this challenge and we are extremely proud of each and every single one of them.

“We are very lucky to have such brilliant children at our school.

“The Ofsted letter sent from the inspector encapsulates how we have all created a caring school where pupils are happy, feel safe and achieve well.

“We feel it embodies our school vision: Aspire, Believe, Succeed – Together we Achieve.”

Chair of Governors Ray Sharpe added: “Our school has had an awesome academic year!

“Now “Solidly Good” it is a genuine credit to the community with everyone’s efforts contributing to its successes.

“The whole school team has worked tirelessly to achieve this goal, which has led to a happy and achieving place.”