A Croydon primary school where pupils act as ‘squabble busters’ and are taught how to protect bees has been praised following an Ofsted inspection.
Howard Primary School, in Dering Place, met the expected standard in most areas assessed when inspectors visited on 7 and 8 July.
Ofsted gave the school’s personal development and wellbeing provision the higher ‘strong standard’, praising support which takes pupils’ backgrounds, vulnerabilities and experiences into consideration. This includes a gardening club offered in recognition that some children do not have access to outdoor spaces where they live, as well as lessons teaching pupils how to travel safely in the local area.
A recent visit from a beekeeper also inspired pupils to make changes to better protect bees in the environment.
Inspectors highlighted the pastoral support available to pupils, including help with managing emotions and targeted mental health support when needed. The report said: “Wellbeing and mental health are prioritised. Pupils know that there are always staff to listen to them. This means that pupils feel safe and well cared for.”
Pupils were described as proud of their school and its diverse community, with inspectors noting their ‘marvellous manners’ towards friends and staff. Children are given a wide range of leadership opportunities, including helping in the school library, taking part in local litter picks and acting as ‘squabble busters’ to support other pupils. The school also offers dance competitions and opportunities to learn the violin or cello.
Inspectors said pupils behave positively at playtimes and generally focus well in lessons, while bullying is rare and concerns are dealt with quickly and seriously. The school’s safeguarding arrangements met Ofsted’s standards, with inspectors finding concerns were actively identified, acted upon and managed.
Howard Primary also met the expected standard for achievement, curriculum and teaching, early years, inclusion, and leadership and governance. Inspectors found pupils typically achieve well and praised the school’s focus on phonics, while children were said to generally develop the foundational knowledge they need in reading, writing and mathematics.
Figures in the report show 71 per cent of pupils reached the expected combined standard in reading, writing and mathematics in 2024/25, compared with 62 per cent nationally. Among disadvantaged pupils, 80 per cent reached the combined expected standard that year, compared with a national average of 47 per cent for disadvantaged pupils.
Attendance still needs attention
The inspection did identify areas where further improvements should be made. Attendance and behaviour was judged as ‘needs attention’, with Ofsted finding absence and persistent absence had remained high over the previous three years.
Overall absence stood at 6.7 per cent in 2024/25, compared with 5.2 per cent nationally, while 20.4 per cent of pupils were persistently absent, against the national average of 13 per cent. Inspectors said improving attendance had recently become a priority and the school had introduced systems to work more closely with pupils and families facing barriers to regular attendance. However, tracking and analysis of attendance remained in the early stages of development and had not yet had enough impact on reducing those barriers.
School leaders were told to maintain their ‘recent sharp focus’ on attendance and continue refining their approach. Other next steps included strengthening communication and language development in the early years, improving handwriting and mathematical vocabulary and continuing work on provision for pupils attending the school’s in-school nurture group.
Parents and carers praised the school, according to Ofsted, particularly highlighting its caring staff and community feel. Staff were also described as highly positive about working at the school, with inspectors saying leaders consider their wellbeing and work to make workloads manageable.
Howard Primary School has 408 pupils and is led by headteacher Joanna Handley, who was appointed in January 2026.
Howard Primary is not the only London early-years setting to earn Ofsted praise recently — a Crouch End nursery won praise for helping every child find their voice.
