Wellsprings Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school Leaders have taken effective action to address weaknesses found at the previous inspection.

Consequently, most pupils catch up and are prepared for the next stage in their education. The headteacher has developed an effective leadership team. Leaders are ambitious for pupils to be successful, including in their personal, social and emotional development.

Staff morale is high. Leaders support staff to feel empowered and to fulfil their roles and responsibilities effectively. Governors have an accurate view of the school's strengths and weaknesses.

They are firm in holding leaders to account for their actions. Teachers know pupils ...well and use assessment information to plan work that meets pupils' needs, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). The leadership of early reading and phonics is particularly strong.

Teaching supports pupils effectively, including those with SEND and disadvantaged pupils, to catch up well. The quality of writing has improved well. However, pupils' writing is not at the same standard in different subjects.

There are some remaining weaknesses in spelling, particularly in key stage 2. The pastoral care for pupils with complex social, emotional and behavioural needs is effective. Staff work patiently and diligently to help pupils get the support they need to attend school and achieve in their education.

The early years, including Nursery, is well led and managed. Most children catch up well, particularly in their development of language and communication skills, in order to be prepared for the challenges of Year 1. At times, the curriculum and teaching restrict pupils in being able to consistently use the full range of their skills and knowledge in a variety of subjects, particularly science.

Pupils' behaviour is good. However, staff's expectations of pupils when they are moving around the school are not consistent. This leads to some occasions when pupils come to lessons not as prepared to learn as might reasonably be expected of them.

A minority of parents do not have confidence in the school's behaviour management systems. For a very few, this mars their relationships with, and confidence in, senior leaders.

Information about this school

Wellsprings is a co-educational school set within the Taunton town district.

Wellsprings Primary School is a larger than average-sized primary school. It has mixed classes in the key stage 2. The school has a governor-run Nursery on-site.

This caters for three- and four-year-old children. The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals and disadvantaged funding is above the national average. The proportion of pupils with SEND is also above the national average.

However, the proportion of pupils with an EHC plan is lower than the national average. The number of pupils who join the school other than at the usual starting points is higher than the national average. Most pupils are from White British backgrounds.

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