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Hallaton C of E Primary School welcomes latest Ofsted report

Parents describe Hallaton Church of England Primary School as “the beating heart of the village”, and Ofsted inspectors agree.

The school, part of Hallaton life since 1864, has received a report that describes “a small school with a big family feel”. Inspectors found the school meets the expected standard in every area, with safeguarding standards met, and that it has made “significant improvements in both the curriculum and teaching” since its previous inspection. They also found “a strong capacity for continued improvement.”

Headteacher Claire Stevens joined the school permanently in January 2023.

“I grew up locally and went to a village school myself, so I know what it can give a child,” said Mrs Stevens. “Our children learn with the countryside on the doorstep and join in with lots of village events throughout the year. School is more than just coming to learn. It’s about being part of a family and being prepared for life, with the Christian values our children chose themselves: kindness, endurance, friendship, justice and wisdom. This latest report is a really positive step for our school. We will keep working on the areas Ofsted has asked us to develop and keep building on everything we already do well.”

Mrs Stevens has a simple request for families considering a village school: look a little closer.

“Spend a morning with us and you’ll see how it works,” she said. “Your child will have friends in every year group, not just their own. Younger children are stretched by learning alongside older ones, and older children learn to explain, to lead and to look after others. Those are skills for life.”

Inspectors found that teaching is planned around mixed-age classes, that teachers adapt lessons so all groups of pupils typically achieve well, and that older pupils set a positive example for younger ones. In phonics, pupils achieve significantly higher than the national average and go on to develop a love of reading.

Children can choose from after-school clubs including basketball, football, hockey, drama, dance, gymnastics, craft club, French and music lessons. For a school of its size, inspectors described “an impressive range of extra-curricular activities” and noted that “leaders ensure that nobody is left out.” In sport, the school has achieved the School Games Mark Gold Award three years running.

Children’s learning stretches well beyond the classroom, into Forest School, next door to the village museum and church, and out to a local farm, to experience farm life through the seasons.

Every parent who responded to Ofsted’s Parent View survey agreed their child is happy and feels safe at school, and 96% would recommend it to another parent.

As one pupil told inspectors: “Everyone is kind and respectful at this school. Everyone gets on.”

Families looking for a Reception place in September 2027 are invited to visit on a normal school day, at a time that suits them. Wraparound care runs from Breakfast Club at 8am to All Angels after-school care until 5.15pm.

Applications for Reception places close on 15 January 2027. To book your visit, call the school office on 01858 555629, email office@hallatonprimary.leics.sch.uk. Visit www.hallatonprimary.co.uk to learn more.

Apply to Leicestershire County Council for a school place. https://www.leicestershire.gov.uk/education-and-children/schools-colleges-and-academies/apply-for-a-school-place

Our Churches continue to support local Foodbanks.

You can drop off donations for the Jubilee Foodbank Market Harborough
at Hallaton Church or to Linda Jones at 25, Eastgate, Hallaton at any time
View the Jubilee Food Bank website for their most needed items

Welcome to Tugby's St Thomas Becket
Cafe Style Church at 10 am on fourth Sundays

Cafe Morrell in Hallaton church is open every Tuesday from 10am until 12-30pm

HORNINGHOLD Church Restoration Project: SPIRE

If you buy items from AMAZON please go to our website first and click the Amazon link.
 No additional charge is made for the items purchased but Spire will receive up to 4% in commission on the sale. All the commission goes towards the church restoration project. 
SPIRE HIRE: Garden Pavilion 6M x 3M for £10SPIRE HIRE: Cutlery set [100] for £4
Call Katie Holmes on 555 664

You can buy really interesting mint stamps for postage at no extra cost but with the benefit of supporting the work of the episcopal churches in Sudan and South Sudan.