Barrow Hedges was last inspected by Ofsted on 20th and 21st April 2022. The outcome of the inspection is that "Barrow Hedges Primary School continues to be a good school. There is enough evidence of improved performance to suggest that the school could be judged outstanding if we were to carry out a section 5 inspection now. The school’s next inspection will be a section 5 inspection."

Barrow Hedges Primary School originally opened in 1955. Heavily over-subscribed, we are situated in a leafy, residential area between Wallington and Sutton. At present we have 681 children on roll, including 45 children in our own nursery. We are an academy in the Cirrus Primary Academy Trust. Previously a two-form entry school, we now have three classes in each year group.

We have extensive grounds, including a large playing field and a Multi Use Games Area (MUGA), as well as two halls, one of which is designated for music and the arts, spacious corridors and classrooms and a fantastic playground with many engaging features; making our environment a great place to learn and achieve. Additionally, we have a sensory room and a SEN teaching room.

We are always keen to evaluate what we do well and what we need to work on in order to build upon our successes and further develop. Children, parents, governors and staff work together in a culture of high academic success and shared responsibility.

Ofsted states that "Pupils are happy, safe and well cared for at this large, welcoming school. All staff have the highest expectations of behaviour and pupils meet these well. The school’s core values of care, honesty, respect and responsibility are understood and modelled by all. Leaders expect all pupils to achieve highly. They have clearly defined key learning in every subject. They train staff exceptionally well, so that staff understand the intended learning and how to teach it. This means that all pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) achieve well. Pupils know what bullying is, but are adamant that it does not happen at their school. They are confident that adults would sort any issues should these occur. They would happily confide in any member of staff with their worries."

Children in the Nursery do not automatically transfer to the main school when they enter Reception. If you have a child in our Nursery and wish them to continue into Reception, you must apply for a place - please visit our Admissions page for details. 

Children enter Reception in the September following their fourth birthday. Classes are of mixed ability and mixed gender, and there are normally 30 children in each class. The school has an intake of 90 pupils at entry into EYFS and across KS1, and there are therefore 3 classes in Reception. We increase our class sizes to 32 per class in KS2 (at Year 3).

Children in the Nursery and in Reception are in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). Children in Year 1 and Year 2 are in Key Stage One (KS1). Sometimes both of these groups are referred to as ‘infants’. All of our infant classes are named after animals (e.g. Caterpillar, Otter, Kingfisher etc).

Children in Years 3 to 6 are in Key Stage Two (KS2) and are often referred to as ‘juniors’. Classes are named after a tree (e.g. Oak, Lime, Cedar, Sycamore etc). 

Class teachers are responsible for the children’s welfare and delivery of the curriculum. Work is planned jointly with Year Group partners during 'Planning, Preparation and Assessment' [PPA] time. During planning, Year teams share the preparation of work drawing on different experiences, knowledge and expertise to ensure work is relevant and well matched to meet the needs of the children.  In this way, we are able to utilise the strengths of a large staff team and enhance the quality of learning and teaching here at Barrow Hedges.