PARENTS, pupils and teachers from Hare Street Community School and nursery were celebrating this week as they secured an outstanding OFSTED judgement for the second consecutive time during an inspection that took place in early March 2025.

The Little Grove Field school was originally given an outstanding judgement in 2020 under the leadership of long serving, popular Headteacher, Mr Tim Voss.

Having retired in July 2023, Mr Voss was succeeded by new Head Mr Neil Coster who had previously spent nearly a decade as the inaugural Head at Pemberley Academy in Hodings Road.

The report puts heavy focus on the changes made since Mr Coster took the helm and cites the extended curriculum, extracurricular activities, high quality therapeutic support for children and a robust and focused teacher training culture as some elements that have moved the school forward.

Parental and student feedback were also both deeply considered with these coming out as overwhelmingly positive.

The report states;

“Pupils love attending school. They are proud of the school and how it is an important part of the local community”

It also states: “A range of exciting trips and experiences reinforce the ambitious curriculum with pupils taking of how these opportunities inspire them to be ambitious for their futures”

Long serving Assistant Headteacher, Mr Mark Grant, said;

“We’re so proud of this judgement because since the last inspection so much has happened with the pandemic that occurred literally right after we were inspected in 2020 and Mr Voss leaving after such a long career.”

Reflecting on the last 18 months Mr Grant commented;

“The new Head (Mr Coster) came in and kept a focus on areas that had made us historically successful such as the academic progress the children make and then we’ve added in a wider curriculum offer which the inspectors loved.

During the two days OFSTED spent with us the lead inspector was able to see sport, drama, podcasting and even the Livewire/Essex music school in operation. It all adds up to a wonderful offer for the children here with the high academic outcomes.”

This will be the last inspection for the school under the current ‘framework’ as the Labour government moves to a ‘report card’ system which is set to be finalised over the coming months before taking effect in the new academic year.

“No judgement defines a school” reflected Mr Grant. “We are obviously very happy, but it’s the school culture we have built and the consistency with which it’s delivered that matters, as it is with all the good schools across Harlow. We’re looking forward to now taking the summer term to reflect and look forward to next academic year”.

The report can now be viewed on the OFSTED website.