The Willow Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is an outstanding school The school has improved from good to outstanding because of the high expectations, tenacity and ambition of senior leaders and governors.

Senior leaders have exceptionally high expectations of what pupils are capable of. Staff share the headteacher's philosophy of 'We never give up on any child.' As a result, all pupils, especially those who are vulnerable, thrive in a caring and supportive environment.

Leaders at all levels ensure that an exceptional level of consistently high-quality teaching is monitored throughout key stages 1 and 2. The strategies put in place by leaders to maintain this quality are exemplary. Pupils' progres...s in reading, writing and mathematics accelerates from low starting points at the start of key stage 1 to being at least in line with standards seen nationally at the end of Year 6.

The progress of many disadvantaged pupils exceeds that of their peers. Pupils' behaviour is impeccable. A consistently calm, pleasant atmosphere in which pupils work and play together and enjoy very positive relationships with staff is another striking feature of the school.

Provision for pupils who have special educational needs and/or disabilities is extremely well led and managed. Pupils have many opportunities to work with others and share their experiences as a result of highly effective partnerships with the special school that shares the same site. During the inspection, pupils of both schools took an active part in a creative arts week including a carnival.

The governing body knows the school extremely well. Governors ask challenging questions about the school's performance. The partnership between the headteacher and chair of governors is highly productive and supportive.

The curriculum is broad, balanced and exciting. Strong teaching in different subjects enables pupils to make rapid progress. Extra-curricular activities are plentiful and very popular.

Early years provision is not yet outstanding because children's progress in the Nursery classes is uneven, particularly in communication and language skills. The outdoor learning areas in the early years do not provide materials and stimulation of the appropriate quality to promote better literacy skills.

Information about this school

The Willow Primary School is larger than most primary schools.

The school shares the modern, purpose-built site with a separately managed special school. The school also shares the site with the children's centre which is managed by the governing body. The proportion of pupils who speak English as an additional language is higher than that seen nationally.

The percentage of pupils from minority ethnic groups is higher than the national average. The proportion of pupils who are eligible for the pupil premium funding is much higher than the national average. The proportion of pupils who have special educational needs and/or disabilities is higher than the national average.

The school runs after-school and breakfast clubs which the governing body manages. The school meets the government's current floor standards which set the minimum expectations for the attainment and progress of pupils in reading, writing and mathematics by the end of Year 6. The school meets statutory requirements on the publication of specified information on its website.

Also at this postcode