Wearhead Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school The recently appointed headteacher leads the school with skill, determination and a clear moral purpose. Pupils are impeccably behaved.

Relationships among pupils and between adults and pupils are thoughtful, kindly and respectful. Pupils follow a broad and balanced curriculum. They have opportunities to develop their knowledge, skills and understanding in a wide range of subjects such as Spanish, art and religious education.

They make good progress. This 'formal' curriculum is underpinned by many extra-curricular activities open to all. These include sports, the arts and regular trips.

Pupils enjoy and appreciate these. Safeguar...ding is effective. Staff receive appropriate, up-to-date training.

This ensures that they have the skills to keep pupils safe. Parents are very supportive of the school. They appreciate the care, open communication and the range of opportunities that the school offers their children.

Disadvantaged pupils make similar, and often better, progress than their peers. This is because staff know their needs very well and remove barriers to success wherever they can. Children in early years make good progress.

They develop positive attitudes to learning. The headteacher and the governors have an accurate and detailed knowledge of the school's strengths and next steps. They evaluate its performance accurately.

Governors are determined and skilled. They know well the school and the community it serves. They are very effective in supporting and holding the headteacher to account.

Pupils know how to keep themselves safe. They learn how to manage potential risks to their safety and well-being. Overall attendance is good and above the national average.

Pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural education is well developed through the curriculum and other opportunities provided by the school. Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) do well because of the well-led, focused work of the school. Reading is a developing strength.

However, there are not enough opportunities for pupils to explore and deepen their reading. Also, early reading needs to be further focused so that the most able make more rapid progress. Teaching is generally good.

However, opportunities are missed to develop and extend pupils' learning and the detail, accuracy and presentation of their writing.

Information about this school

Wearhead school is much smaller than the average-sized primary school. As a result, there are very few pupils in each year group.

There is a class comprising of Nursery, Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 and a class comprising of Years 3, 4, 5 and 6. All pupils are White British. The proportion of disadvantaged pupils eligible for support through the pupil premium is well below the national average.

The proportion of pupils with SEND is below the national average. The school runs an after-school club. The school provides up to six Nursery places in flexible morning, afternoon and all-day provision.