Wensley Fold CofE Primary Academy

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils know that their school is a very special place. Each day is filled with magical learning opportunities. Classrooms sparkle with books, resources and images that fire pupils' imagination.

Pupils play happily outdoors in beautiful grounds that have far-reaching views of the world around them. The quality of education that pupils receive is simply exceptional.

Pupils experience nothing but the best from early years to Year 6.

The school's expectations of what pupils can achieve are extremely high. Pupils strive successfully to meet these expectations each day. Children in the Reception class know that they must listen carefully.

Older pupils work... hard and stay focused in their lessons. Pupils of all ages, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), achieve the best possible outcomes.

Around the school, indoors and outdoors, pupils' behaviour is impeccable.

They follow the school rules conscientiously. For example, everyone has to walk to the left on the stairs so that there is enough room for people to pass safely. Older pupils are excellent role models for younger ones.

The school quickly spots and addresses any behaviour that might lead to bullying.

The school provides an impressively wide range of activities for pupils' personal development. For example, pupils can join clubs for sports, drama or cookery.

They can participate in caring for the hens and guinea fowl, who greet pupils noisily each day. Pupils can even train as beekeepers and run the school's small business selling jars of honey. These experiences help to foster pupils' talents and interests for future life.

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

Pupils benefit from a curriculum that is broad, exciting and highly ambitious. This curriculum takes account of the wide range of needs of pupils in the school, including those with SEND.

The school serves a diverse community.

Most children who start in early years speak English as an additional language. Nonetheless, they quickly develop the strong language and communication skills that enable them to learn extremely well over time. Regardless of their different starting points, pupils in each key stage achieve consistently high outcomes in national tests.

The curriculum is clearly organised from early years to Year 6. The school introduces pupils to essential knowledge in each subject in small, well-ordered steps. This means that pupils' new knowledge is solidly built on firm foundations.

Over time, pupils learn deeply.

The school provides pupils with learning that is engaging and exciting. Pupils develop strong connections between new and earlier learning.

These connections help pupils to understand bigger ideas and concepts over time. Teachers' regular checks in lessons help to identify whether pupils have any missing knowledge. Pupils receive prompt support to catch up if ever they need it.

The school makes effective use of information gathered through assessments, for example to make any necessary adjustments to the curriculum. No opportunity is lost to improve learning for pupils.

Reading is at the heart of the curriculum.

Children in early years learn phonics as soon as they start school. Very quickly, they learn to break down and build up the sounds in words. This continues in Year 1 with more complex groups of letters and sounds.

Pupils love to read to adults and they are proud of their successes. Should any pupil be at risk of falling behind, staff provide swift help to ensure that these pupils catch up quickly.

In every class and around the school, pupils are immersed in a world of captivating books and stories.

They read and listen to a rich range of fiction, poetry and information books. Children in early years enjoy their story times. Older pupils look forward to the special time when adults read to them.

Pupils said that they treasure their visits to the school's 'amazing' libraries, which are designed to foster a deep and lasting love of reading.

The school works quickly and purposefully to identify any pupils who may have SEND. There is effective communication between the school, parents and carers, and a wide range of professionals.

This ensures that pupils with SEND receive expert support when it is needed. Pupils with SEND achieve highly.

Pupils' behaviour is exemplary.

They know that adults in school expect nothing less.Pupils commit themselves to their learning and show respectful attitudes towards adults and to each other. Pupils enjoy school, and very few pupils are regularly absent.

These positive, responsible attitudes contribute significantly to pupils' ability to learn and to achieve.

The school goes beyond the expected in providing for pupils' personal and character development. Through debate and discussion, pupils learn to consider opinions that are different from their own.

Pupils appreciate the disadvantages that others may face, such as inequality, poverty or loneliness. This prompts pupils to engage in activities to 'make a difference'. Pupils learn to respect those from other faiths or cultures.

The experiences that pupils receive prepare them exceptionally well for life in British society.

Trustees, all of whom are governors of the school, carry out a range of activities to assure themselves that the school's systems are working well. This has helped them to ensure that the quality of education has remained exceptional over time.

When making decisions, trustees are considerate of the impact on staff's workload.

The school communicates effectively with parents and the community to support pupils' education.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.