‘Outstanding’ early years provision and ‘crammed, exciting’ curriculum at Holbrook Primary School, says Ofsted

Teachers and pupils at Holbrook Primary School are celebrating after retaining its overall 'good' Ofsted rating. Picture: GREGG BROWN

The education watchdog said reception children get off to a “flying start” in an inspection report which retained the school’s overall ‘good’ judgement.

Headteacher Annie Hookway said the report reaffirmed the school’s “high-quality curriculum”. She said: “We have done this by providing a balance of the traditional teaching of English and mathematics alongside science and technology to prepare our pupils for 21st century employment.

“The impact of our education is felt right from the start with an outstanding provision in early years.”

Teachers and pupils at Holbrook Primary School are celebrating after retaining its overall 'good' Ofsted rating. Picture: GREGG BROWN

Lead inspector Ruth Brock wrote: “Children in the early years get off to a flying start to their education. As a result of excellent provision, children make good progress and are very well prepared for their move to Year 1.

“The reception class teacher knows the children exceptionally well. The early years team works closely with parents and children thrive. As one parent said, ‘We couldn’t ask for a better start to school life!’ Inspectors wholly concur with this statement.”

Reception children also show curiosity and imagination in a bright and “highly stimulating” environment, Mrs Brock added.

Teachers and pupils at Holbrook Primary School are celebrating after retaining its overall 'good' Ofsted rating. Picture: GREGG BROWN

Inspectors also praised the school for “cramming” science, ICT, geography and history lessons with “exciting opportunities”.

The primary school made headlines last May when British astronaut Tim Peake highlighted their “incredible” work of designing and printing child-friendly 3D asthma inhalers. Four pupils then met the astronaut at a conference in Portsmouth.

The Ofsted report added: “Leaders take every opportunity to widen the experiences of pupils. For example, a visiting artist worked with pupils who are learning about the First World War to make beautiful ceramic poppies.

Teachers and pupils at Holbrook Primary School are celebrating after retaining its overall 'good' Ofsted rating. Picture: GREGG BROWN

“Pupils are regularly taught French by a specialist. Inspectors saw pupils as young as Year 3 confidently speaking in French, responding to questions posed in French and fully engaged with the lesson. A trip to France was clearly a success. Pupils enjoyed French food and observed the paintings of Claude Monet.”