Westfield Primary Community School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils are happy at Westfield Primary Community School. The relationships between pupils and teachers are caring and respectful.

Pupils benefit from an ambitious curriculum and rich cultural experiences. Reading is important in this school. Most pupils learn to read quickly and fluently.

Pupils speak enthusiastically about the 'cracking good reads' read to them by teachers.

Staff have high expectations of pupils' behaviour. Pupils are motivated to learn.

They are encouraged to develop resilience when facing challenges in their work. Staff are trained to support pupils with social emotional and mental health needs. Pupils with special educational need...s and/or disabilities (SEND) are included in all aspects of school life.

Pupils have a clear understanding of what bullying is. Bullying rarely happens in the school, when it does, staff act quickly to stop it. Pupils feel confident to speak to teachers about any worries they might have.

Leaders are committed to doing 'What's in our gift to increase opportunities to develop pupils' character. For example, pupils enjoy a daily 'fitness 15' of outdoor physical activities, residential trips and performing at multigenerational community events. Pupils can attend a range of extracurricular activities after school to develop their talents and interests.

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

Leaders have recently made instrumental changes to the ambition and sequencing of the curriculum. They have ensured that staff are trained to teach the curriculum well. The implementation of these new curriculums and additional focus on revisiting prior knowledge has increased opportunities for pupils to deepen their knowledge.

As a result, pupils' achievement is improving.

Reading is an important part of school life. Leaders have prioritised early reading and a love of sharing stories.

Leaders have introduced a new curriculum for teaching early reading. Leaders have provided training and check to make sure that reading is well taught. There is now consistency in the teaching of phonics across early years and key stage 1.

As a result, most pupils learn to read quickly and confidently. Staff regularly check to ensure that pupils are building their reading knowledge. Pupils that need more help learning to read are given regular additional support.

Leaders have recently improved the curriculum for mathematics. They have provided training for staff to ensure that they understand how to teach mathematics well. In lessons, teachers use carefully chosen activities and resources to help pupils deepen their knowledge.

Pupils are given regular opportunities to use concrete objects to develop a secure understanding of number. For example, pupils in Year 1 use apparatus in practical tasks to help them count numbers up to 100. In mathematics, teachers regularly check pupils' understanding.

They use this information to address misconceptions and revisit topics where needed. As a result, pupils are building fluency and using mathematical vocabulary with confidence.

In most subjects, teachers have identified the important knowledge and vocabulary that pupils need to know at key points.

However, in some foundation subjects, leaders have not identified the specific knowledge that pupils must know in each year group. As a result, teachers are not clear about how to build pupils' knowledge over time. Some pupils struggle to recall their learning in a small number of foundation subjects.

In most subjects, teachers regularly check how well pupils remember essential knowledge before moving onto new learning. For example, in physical education (PE), Year 4 pupils revisit how to run with control before moving on to how to jump with control. However, in some subjects, teachers do not consistently check how well pupils have remembered and learned important knowledge.

As a result, teachers do not consistently identify when pupils have gaps in their knowledge.

Leaders identify pupils with SEND early and accurately. Well-trained staff ensure that support plans help pupils to be included and learn well.

Leaders work with outside agencies to make sure that pupils receive the extra support that they need.

In the early years, leaders have created an engaging environment for children. Adults are well trained to meet the communication and language needs of pupils.

Children are given regular opportunities to understand and talk about their feelings. Adults use visual timetables to support independence. In Nursery, children talk confidently about creating numerical patterns.

Children were seen independently engaging in number activities that developed fine motor skills at the same time, using tweezers and pom poms to count out numbers.

The school's curriculum for personal, social and health education develops pupils' independence and character. Pupils understand what makes relationships safe.

They learn how to stay healthy, both physically and mentally. Pupils understand the protected characteristics.

Leaders are committed to meeting the needs of children and their families.

The pastoral support offered by the school is of a high quality. Workload is not a concern for staff. Teachers at the start of their career are well supported.

Governors know the school well and what actions are needed to make further improvements. Governors are supportive but still provide challenge to improve attendance and outcomes.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

Leaders have ensured that all staff have received training to help them to understand the indicators that a child might be at risk of harm. Leaders provide regular safeguarding updates to staff and governors. Staff understand the risks that pupils might face.

Procedures for reporting concerns are well understood. Leaders work well with external agencies to get timely support for pupils and families.

Leaders have introduced strategies to improve pupil's e-safety knowledge.

What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

• In a small number of subjects, leaders have not identified the specific knowledge that they want pupils to learn in each year group. In these subjects, teachers do not know precisely what pupils should know and remember in order to build their knowledge over time. Leaders should ensure that teachers know the exact content that pupils should learn.

• In some foundation subjects, teachers' checks of what pupils should know are not precise. Sometimes, teachers do not identify when pupils have gaps in their knowledge. Leaders should ensure that assessment arrangements are refined to help teachers identify where pupils have gaps in their knowledge.

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