Ofsted & School Performance
Highbury Quadrant Primary School welcomed an inspection team in June 2023.
We are pleased to share with you how the report agrees with school leaders about the strengths of our school and of course, what we want to do next to continue to improve.
In particular, we are most proud that our school was found to
- The school is a happy and harmonious place.
- Pupils are happy and safe at this community school. They enjoy their learning as well as taking part in the many school trips.
- Leaders and governors are dedicated to the pupils and school, and they care deeply about the community the school serves. They work closely with families.
- Relationships between staff and pupils are strong. Leaders know their pupils well.
- Leaders have planned for all pupils to learn a broad and ambitious curriculum. This includes pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)
- Pupils learn to behave well. They are kind to one another and show respect, regardless of the differences between them.
- Bullying is rare. Pupils are confident that adults will help them if they report this or other concerns.
- Leaders reward positive behaviour. They teach pupils about being polite and encourage them to be confident about change.
- Leaders are ambitious for all their pupils.
- Ambition is particularly strong in the early years provision.
- Leaders have developed a broad curriculum. They have made ambitious choices about subject content, incorporating the aims and scope of the national curriculum.
- The school has a number of pupils with complex SEND, who receive appropriate personalised support with their learning and wider well-being.
- Pupils also receive strong support to help them develop positive attitudes to learning and follow classroom routines.
- Governors are knowledgeable about the school and carry out their roles conscientiously.
We are ambitious for our school and have a clear plan to continue to improve.
In the twelve months since our last inspection phonics results have steadily improved over the past three years, showing no gap between disadvantaged and non-disadvantaged pupils. SEND interventions in phonics have been successful, with consistent improvement, and Year 2 phonics interventions have resulted in 80% of pupils meeting the expected standard, far above the national average.
In Key Stage 1, reading outcomes saw a 49% improvement, now exceeding the national average . Writing outcomes rose by 38%, recovering to meet national standards after a dip, thanks to consistent good teaching. Mathematics results improved by 32%, placing the school above the national average, with ongoing focus on raising higher attainment.
Key Stage 2 performance also shows positive trends:
- Multiplication Tables Check (MTC) in Year 4 has steadily improved, with a 4% rise in average scores over three years, following a focus on early number instruction.
- Reading outcomes have improved by 10% since 2022, closing the gap between disadvantaged and non-disadvantaged pupils. The number of pupils reaching higher standards has significantly increased, exceeding national averages.
- Writing outcomes have improved. This is our focus for further development this year, particularly at the higher standard.
- Mathematics outcomes improved by 25% for disadvantaged pupils between 2023 and 2024, with an 8% increase in pupils achieving greater depth, bringing results in line with national averages.
Ofsted School Inspection Reports
Most recent report:
School Inspection Report – June 2023
Previous report:
School inspection Report – June 2018
School Performance
| EYFS: Good level of Development | School | National |
| 2022 | 65% | 65% |
| 2023 | 50% | 67% |
| 2024 | 46% | 68% |
| Phonics Screening Check (PSC) | School | National |
| 2022 | 46% | 75% |
| 2023 | 82% | 795% |
| 2024 | 89% | 80% |
| Key Stage 1 – pupils working at or above the Expected Standard 2024 | School | National (2023) |
| Reading | 82% | 68% |
| Writing | 64% | 60% |
| Maths | 73% | 70% |
| Key Stage 2 – pupils working at or above the Expected Standard 2024 | School | National |
| Reading | 63% | 74% |
| Writing | 60% | 72% |
| Maths | 67% | 73% |
| RWM combined | 50% | 61% |