St Mary’s Wavendon CofE Primary

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils flourish in this caring and friendly school. The school's values are seamlessly interwoven and understood by pupils. Pupils feel happy and are kept safe.

They know there is always someone to talk to if they have any worries. Pupils enjoy playtimes, where they have fun together with their friends. They appreciate the pupil playleaders, who make their breaktimes more enjoyable by organising exciting activities.

Children in the early years make a great start to their education. They form secure friendships and thrive in the well-organised environment. Teachers present learning in informative and engaging ways, encouraging pupils' interest and keenness to achieve w...ell.

Pupils are respectful towards each other, and towards adults. The school has high expectations of what pupils can achieve, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Pupils work hard and achieve well.

There is an inclusive ethos, in which everyone is treated equally. Pupils are polite, courteous and behave positively. They know that you should treat people how you want to be treated.

Pupils appreciate the wide range of activities, including sporting, arts and literature events. These experiences support pupils to develop confidence, helping them to become well-rounded individuals and citizens.

What does the school do well and what does it need to do better?

The school has an ambitious and well-sequenced curriculum starting from the early years.

The curriculum is carefully designed to ensure that pupils' knowledge builds on their earlier learning. In mathematics, for example, children in the early years develop a secure understanding of numbers. This supports them well for later year groups, in which pupils solve more complex calculations involving decimals.

The school's work to refine the curriculum in some subjects is ongoing. In these subjects, staff are identifying the precise knowledge pupils need to learn and remember over time.

The school has developed the writing curriculum, including responding quickly to the lower national outcomes for the end of Year 6 in 2023.

Currently, pupils learn more successfully in writing than published results might suggest. The school has many pupils who join the school throughout the school year as it grows to full capacity. It supports these pupils successfully, and it identifies those who have additional needs, and gives precise support to help them catch up quickly.

Teachers check pupils' knowledge effectively. They model learning and use their secure subject knowledge to explain new ideas clearly. Teachers select tasks carefully that support pupils to develop their skills and knowledge.

Pupils experience a rich and engaging environment to explore and learn new things.Pupils show positive attitudes to learning and show respect for one another. This enables pupils to learn well.

The school identifies pupils' additional needs swiftly. It has high expectations for pupils with SEND. Pupils receive targeted and precise support.

Staff adapt their teaching and learning activities precisely so pupils with SEND can access the full curriculum successfully.

Reading is at the heart of the curriculum. The books that younger pupils read closely match the sounds that they are learning.

The teaching of phonics is consistent and ensures that pupils have many opportunities to practise and consolidate their phonics knowledge. Staff are quick to provide support if a pupil does not pronounce a sound correctly. In the early years, children are introduced to a wide variety of stories to help extend their vocabulary.

This learning begins in Nursery with children identifying sounds and singing songs.

The school promotes pupils' wider development effectively to help them grow beyond their academic learning. Pupils learn about different types of families and healthy relationships.

They are encouraged to take on leadership roles, such as becoming eco-warriors, mathematics ambassadors and school councillors. These responsibilities enable pupils to make a valued impact on the school. Pupils know how to keep healthy and active.

Pupils behave well in class and as they move around the building. There is a strong culture of treating others as you would like to be treated. The school prioritises good attendance to ensure that pupils attend school regularly.

Pupils understand what it means to be a good citizen. Pupils think about others' needs and fundraise for national charities and the local community. The school supports pupils' mental health and pastoral needs very well.

There are many enrichment opportunities, including a range of clubs to develop pupils' interests and talents.

The school is dedicated to ensuring that all pupils can participate fully in school life and achieve well. Staff appreciate the training they receive to refine their practice to best support pupils.

Governors have sharp oversight of the school's work. This enables them to hold the school fully to account for the quality of education that pupils receive.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

• In some foundation subjects, some of the precise knowledge that pupils need to know is not yet fully identified. This hinders pupils' development of understanding over time. The school should continue to develop all subjects to help pupils achieve well across the full curriculum.

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