Wells Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils are very proud of their school. The value of 'kindness' is interwoven across all aspects of school life.

This makes this school a happy place to learn. Pupils enjoy school because teachers make lessons exciting. They talk enthusiastically about their learning, such as how you can combine two chemicals together to produce carbon dioxide which inflates a balloon in science.

Pupils' behaviour is impeccable, both in and outside the classroom. They are incredibly polite to their classmates, staff and visitors. This starts from the early years where children learn the importance of working together and following routines.

Nurturing relationships exist betwee...n staff and pupils. Pupils speak positively about how staff listen and help them if they have a concern.

The school has the highest expectations for pupils' achievement.

This includes those pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Pupils work hard and achieve exceptionally well, especially in English and mathematics.

Pupils understand the importance of treating everyone equally.

They take inspiration from historical figures such as Martin Luther King and Rosa Parks. In Year 6, all pupils are given a role of responsibility. Pupils are proud to become school councillors and eco-councillors.

They understand how these roles help them to be respectful and resilient.

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

The curriculum here is ambitious and well sequenced. The school has carefully identified the important knowledge, skills and vocabulary that pupils need to learn year-on-year.

Teachers have strong subject knowledge. They explain concepts clearly and correct misconceptions swiftly when they arise. For example, in the Reception Year, adults explain where the tongue needs to be when pronouncing the sound 'th'.

This helps children to say the sound correctly. The school identifies pupils with SEND early on in their school careers. The school has appropriate adaptations in place to ensure these pupils access all that the school has to offer and achieve well.

Reading is at the heart of the curriculum. Pupils in Year 6 read interesting texts and describe the impact of the author's choice of language on the reader. Children in the early years eagerly recall rhyming words when reading texts such as 'Room on the Broom'.

They use their voices expressively to demonstrate the 'whoosh' of the broomstick taking off. These experiences develop a love for reading.

Staff are experts at teaching early reading.

Therefore, they deliver the early reading programme with precision. Books are carefully matched to the sounds that pupils are learning. This means that pupils read with developing fluency and confidence.

Lessons are well structured and provide regular opportunities for pupils to practise and revisit previously learned letters. If pupils fall behind, they receive the help and support they need to catch up quickly.

Vocabulary development is a focus here.

In mathematics, children in the early years use the correct language to describe shapes. This is because the school provides opportunities for children to use important words across the curriculum.

Pupils' behaviour is exemplary across the school.

They learn without interruption. Pupils are highly motivated and show positive attitudes to their learning. On the rare occasions where this is not the case, the school has appropriate strategies, such as 'calming corners' in place which support pupils to regulate their emotions.

The personal, social and health education curriculum is very well considered. Pupils learn about consent and healthy relationships in an age-appropriate manner. Pupils in Year 4 have opportunities to visit the local area to learn about road safety and children in the early years visit the fire station to recognise things that are dangerous.

The school provides a wide range of clubs which are well attended. For example, pupils who attend the book club talk positively about the opportunity to work with a script-writer from the film industry. Those pupils who attend the netball club are given the opportunity to play competitively.

These experiences enable pupils to develop their skills and pursue their interests.

The school's development of pupils' character is exceptional. Pupils take pride in helping others by planting flowers in hanging baskets for the community to enjoy.

The school council and eco-council work hard to promote sustainability by leading initiatives to recycle unwanted clothing and to reduce plastic waste. These experiences help pupils understand the importance of looking after their environment.

Governors have appropriate processes and systems in place to check the effectiveness of the school.

They visit the school regularly and have an accurate understanding of the impact of leaders' actions on school priorities. Staff speak highly of the initiatives in place to support their well-being and manage their workload.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.