Highgate Primary School wins praise in Ofsted inspection for ‘continued improvement’

Highgate Primary School has been praised by inspectors for its “continued improvement in achievements and standards” over the last three years.

Pupils, staff and parents are celebrating after the latest Ofsted report recognised the school, in Storey Road, North Hill, as “good” across the board.

During a visit in July, the three-strong inspection team were impressed by the headteacher and newly-formed senior leadership team’s focus on “driving up standards of teaching and pupils’ achievement” at the larger than average primary.

The report also praised the partnership with Blanche Nevile School for deaf children, which is on the same site.

All pupils learn British Sign Language and the inspectors said the partnership between the schools “provided good opportunities for deaf pupils to learn alongside their peers”.

The report also found that pupils enjoyed their time at school, that relationships are polite and courteous and that pupils’ spiritual, moral and cultural awareness is well developed through a range of trips and visits.

But inspectors said the school is not yet classed as “outstanding” because improvements are still to be made in teaching English and maths and that systems for checking improvements are not closely enough linked to priorities in the school’s development plan.

Headteacher William Dean said: “The report reads very favourably.

“We are particularly pleased that the inspection team recognised the trend of continuing improvement in pupils’ achievement.

“The best news, however, is that with a positive Ofsted inspection now behind us, the school can focus on what really matters, which is to continue to provide an outstanding education for our children.”