Heronswood Primary School and Pre-School is delighted to announce its ‘Outstanding’ rating from Ofsted following an inspection on 30^th April to 1^st May 2024.  The school demonstrated it was Outstanding in all 5 areas of the Ofsted Framework. This is a significant milestone, marking a decade of continuous improvement since the school joined The Rivers CofE Academy Trust in 2014.

 

Heronswood Primary School has undergone a remarkable transformation over the past 10 years and has gone from strength to strength, with a relentless focus on excellence in education and an unwavering commitment to the children and community it serves.

The Ofsted report recognises the school’s clear expectations for behaviour and attendance, noting that, “pupils attend regularly, they are safe, and they are respectful of staff and one another.”

 

The trust-wide curriculum was praised for being, “extremely ambitious for all learners”. The school ensures that every pupil is equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary for future success. With a strong emphasis on STEM activities through events like the box car rally and Lego workshops, Heronswood is committed to helping pupils, “broaden their horizons and develop new talents and interests.”

 

The report commended the school’s skilled teachers for having a strong grasp of the subjects they teach and for ensuring that pupils effectively build on their prior knowledge. “High-quality lessons motivate pupils to want to do their very best.”

 

The Ofsted report also highlights the high standards of excellence:

• “Classrooms are industrious places where pupils work hard and achieve well.”
• “Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are exceptionally well supported to be successful in school.”

 

Heronswood opened a new purpose-built pre-school room, named Tots, in March 2024, expanding its current childcare provision to include 2-year-old children. The report recognised that all children in the early years got off to a great start in their education. Early reading was pointed out as being “exceptionally well taught” and staff were acknowledged for being “highly skilled at teaching daily phonics lessons”. Consequently, “pupils learn to read with the confidence and accuracy expected for their age, and many exceed this” and “children are very well prepared for the next stage of their learning.”

 

The report acknowledged the school's dedication to wellbeing and pupil engagement, “emotional well-being is prioritised so that pupils get the most from every lesson”. Through the work of the school council, “pupils learn that they have a voice and the right to be heard.”  Activities organised by the school such as carol singing at local care homes and litter picking help to engage pupils as active community members. This ensures “pupils are well prepared for life in modern Britain.”

 

The report also cited staff wellbeing, highlighting that, "Staff appreciate meaningful and effective engagement from leaders who listen and care."  Additionally, leaders at Heronswood, and those from the Rivers Trust, have been recognised for their efforts to understand and continuously improve the school, “Leaders … work hard to understand what the school does well and how it can get even better.”  

 

Head Teacher, Mrs Pierpoint proudly commented,

“Heronswood Primary School’s ‘Outstanding’ Ofsted rating is not just a recognition of current excellence but also a celebration of a decade-long journey of commitment, hard work and improvement. We are excited to continue this journey, building on our successes and striving for even greater achievements in the years to come. Our children are at the heart of everything we do at Heronswood and we ensure they get the very best start to their education. We are exceptionally proud of all our children and all they achieve. I am also immensely proud of the dedication our staff team show daily, making a difference to little lives.”

 

The Chief Executive Officer of The Rivers CofE Trust commented,

“We are hugely proud of the leaders, staff, pupils and the wider school community. It is an exceptional school that has had impressive and incremental improvement over time. Ofsted judgements are a moment in time, but the excellent day-to-day education for pupils at Heronswood is the most inspiring thing to see”.

 

Read the full Ofsted report.