Standish St Wilfrid’s Church of England Primary Academy

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils thrive in this happy, nurturing school.

Everybody is made to feel welcome. Leaders are never complacent. Despite the many notable strengths of the school, leaders continually look to further improve on their already exceptional offer to pupils.

Leaders have the highest expectations of pupils' behaviour and learning. This inspires pupils to be the very best that they can be. Pupils work incredibly hard in their lessons and behave in an exemplary manner.

Pupils benefit greatly from leaders' unwavering focus on the wider curriculum. Pupils talk enthusiastically about the vast array of high-quality enrichment activities on offer. For example, pupils sing c...onfidently in the choir or play musical instruments tunefully in music lessons and clubs.

Pupils in the school's swimming team have enjoyed success in regional and national swimming competitions.

Pupils are very proud of their school. They are very keen to contribute to the school community.

This is because leaders listen, and act upon, the ideas pupils have on how to improve the school further. Pupils relish the responsibilities that leaders trust them to carry out. These include being a reading companion, a member of the pupil leadership team or helping to look after 'Murphy' and 'Kipling', the school's rabbits for them to read to.

Pupils enjoy excellent relationships with their peers and the staff. Pupils know that any incidents of bullying will be dealt with swiftly by teachers. Staff are trained to help pupils to deal with any of their worries or concerns.

This helps pupils to feel safe.

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

Leaders' extremely high ambitions for every pupil are reflected in the excellent curriculum that children in the early years, and pupils in Year 1 to Year 6, enjoy. Much thought has gone into shaping a curriculum that meets pupils' needs and interests.

The careful construction of the curriculum means that pupils continually build on their learning until they secure a deep body of knowledge across all subjects. As a result, all pupils, including children in the early years and those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), achieve exceptionally well. Year 6 pupils are more than ready to meet the demands of their secondary school education.

Teachers are extremely well trained. They have an in-depth knowledge of the subjects they deliver. This enables them to provide pupils with highly engaging activities.

Pupils are challenged in their learning.

Reading is at the heart of the curriculum. This is because leaders share a view that it unlocks the whole of the curriculum to all pupils.

Pupils have a stunning knowledge of books and authors because teachers read to them widely and often. Teachers are adept at choosing books that further develop pupils' knowledge and pleasure of the world of literature.

Pupils rapidly become fluent readers.

Children in the Nursery class are immersed in books from the start. Teachers spark children's interest in reading through the books they share. This helps children to build an understanding of new vocabulary and sounds quickly.

Staff receive regular training. They skilfully teach the phonics curriculum as soon as children enter the Reception class. Younger pupils across key stage 1, and children in the Reception class, read books that closely match the sounds that they know.

Pupils who find reading more difficult, including pupils at an early stage of reading in key stage 2, receive well-planned sessions to support them. These help them to catch up swiftly.

Pupils develop a rich and broad vocabulary.

Leaders ensure subject-related terminology is promoted and understood. In the Reception class, children handling ice explained that it was 'freezing' and 'slippery'. Older pupils talked knowledgeably about democracy having its origins in Ancient Greece.

Leaders work closely with staff to quickly identify pupils with SEND. Staff are highly skilled in making sure that pupils with SEND access the full curriculum. Staff are united in their view that additional needs should not be a barrier to learning.

As a result, pupils with SEND achieve exceptionally well.

Pupils are encouraged to be aspirational about their futures. Leaders recently organised representatives from a variety of occupations, including doctors and scientists, to discuss career choices with pupils.

Former pupils return to the school to talk about their experiences of the curriculum and how it helped them in their chosen careers.

Pupils' behaviour is exceptional. Excellent learning behaviours are established quickly.

Children in the early years remain engaged and focused on tasks. Pupils across the school show high levels of engagement with their learning. They listen attentively to their teachers.

Pupils show great care for one another. 'Wellbeing warriors' listen to any worries that their peers may have and look after each other.

Alongside fostering excellent academic achievement, leaders ensure that pupils develop as well-rounded youngsters.

Leaders' work to promote pupils' personal development truly stands out. Pupils display a mature understanding of human rights and equalities. Teachers encourage pupils to think about people less fortunate than themselves.

Pupils act on this and organise fundraising activities for local charities. The curriculum is used effectively to help pupils learn about diversity. In history, pupils have been learning about the impact of the Windrush generation in helping to rebuild Britain after the Second World War.

This is giving them a deeper understanding of diversity as well as the origins of generations who have settled in other countries.Staff are incredibly proud to work at the school. They are appreciative of the careful consideration that is taken of their workload and well-being by leaders and governors.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

Leaders and staff know the families in the school community very well. They work closely with outside agencies where appropriate.

This ensures that vulnerable families receive the support they need in a timely manner.

Staff are well trained and vigilant to the signs that any pupils may be at risk of harm or neglect. They understand the importance of reporting concerns promptly.

Leaders use regular training updates to ensure that safeguarding remains a high priority.

Pupils learn how to keep themselves safe. They understand the risks that can be present online as well as the dangers of drug and alcohol misuse.