OFSTED at Holy Trinity CE Primary School April 2025

We are incredibly proud to share with you the outcome of our recent OFSTED inspection. It reflects not only the hard work and dedication of our staff and children but also the ongoing support from our wonderful parent community.

As you may know, our last inspection was in 2015. Since then, OFSTED has introduced a new reporting structure that no longer includes an overall one-word judgment. Instead, schools are now evaluated across several key areas, and we’re thrilled to let you know that we have been judged Outstanding in Personal Development and in the Early Years Foundation Stage.

These are exceptional outcomes and place us among a very select group of schools in Richmond to be rated Outstanding in these areas. As the report proudly states, “Children in Early Years get off to a flying start.”

Why Personal Development Is Outstanding – And Why It Matters

Personal Development is about far more than what happens in the classroom — it reflects the rich, vibrant experiences our children receive across all aspects of school life. OFSTED recognised our commitment to broadening horizons: from Reception children raising ducklings to better understand animal life, to pupils engaging in scientific learning through visits from real scientists. These experiences inspire curiosity and ambition.

Inspectors were particularly impressed by our commitment to the arts, noting how music and singing are integral to our offer. They highlighted the breadth of our musical enrichment, from choirs to the opportunity for all Year 4 pupils to learn a brass instrument.

Early Years – An Outstanding Start

In Early Years, inspectors praised our carefully crafted curriculum and nurturing environment, where children learn through play, exploration, and structured routines. They noted how confidently our youngest pupils use their knowledge – for example, applying their maths skills in real-life situations, like finding and ordering hidden Easter eggs on a number line.

Most importantly, inspectors recognised that our children feel secure, are encouraged to try new things, and are supported to thrive both personally and academically from their very first days with us.

Inclusive and Effective Support for Children with SEND

We were particularly proud that inspectors recognised the strong provision for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. They noted that our staff expertly identify and support pupils’ individual needs, ensuring access to high-quality teaching and personalised strategies. As a result, children with SEND achieve well and are fully included in every aspect of school life.

Other Highlights from the Report

Strong Community Values: Inspectors praised our eco initiatives and community involvement, highlighting how we nurture socially conscious and responsible young citizens.
Reading Excellence: Reading is a standout strength. Children become “skilled and confident,” thanks to our carefully sequenced curriculum and love of literature.
Pupil Leadership: Our buddy systems — such as older pupils reading with younger ones — were celebrated as powerful examples of pupil-led support and collaboration.

Behaviour and Wellbeing

Inspectors found that behaviour across the school is calm and respectful. Bullying is rare, and when it does occur, children feel confident that it is dealt with quickly and fairly. They also noted how reflective we are as a school, continuously reviewing and refining our systems to best support our children’s wellbeing.

Our Next Steps – A Continuous Journey

OFSTED identified a small area for refinement: in some instances, teachers could ensure pupils have a deeper understanding of key concepts before moving on to more complex work. The school’s carefully sequenced curriculum is designed to help pupils revisit key concepts regularly, supporting the development of deeper understanding over time. While this structured approach provides a strong foundation, there are opportunities to further enhance teaching by consistently checking pupils’ grasp of core ideas before introducing more complex tasks. Strengthening this aspect will help ensure all pupils can confidently build on their prior learning and make meaningful connections with new content. We see this as a valuable and constructive insight, and as part of our ongoing commitment to excellence, we are already incorporating this into our development planning to further strengthen our curriculum.

A Final Word – And a Big Thank You

One of the most heartening aspects of the inspection was the overwhelming positivity from our parent community. 99% of parents said they would recommend the school to others – a truly incredible endorsement of the work we do every day. One parent’s comment particularly stood out to inspectors: “Staff pour their heart into the school to create a caring environment for our children, without compromising academic achievements.” We couldn’t have said it better ourselves.

Our school is thriving, with Outstanding features and a strong foundation for continuous improvement. Thank you for your ongoing trust and support – we’re excited about what the future holds and proud to be on this journey with you.

Holy Trinity School Richmond is incredibly proud of its recent OFSTED Report, you can read the full report here: 10379122 – Holy Trinity Church – 102908 – final report

Would you like to share your views of Holy Trinity School with Ofsted Parent View? You can access the service here.