Westfield Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils enjoy coming to school. The friendly and supportive atmosphere supports their learning and personal development well. Pupils say that they feel safe and are confident that adults will deal with any worries they may have.

Pupils rise to the high expectations of staff and the 'Westfield Way' of 'going for gold every day'.

Pupils understand the school values, which underpin all aspects of school life. One said, 'We all follow them so we can make the school a better place.'

Pupils are respectful to adults and to each other. Behaviour is good. Pupils understand the behaviour management system.

They say that this works.

Pupils benefit from... learning in specialist facilities for some lessons, such as science and art and design. These contribute towards enriching their learning experiences and help to prepare them for secondary school.

Pupils appreciate the wide range of clubs that are on offer for them both before and after school. Pupils also enjoy taking on responsibilities. These include being play leaders, digital ambassadors, members of the school council and running the stationery shop.

These help to broaden pupils' experiences and help to build confidence.

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

Leaders have designed an ambitious curriculum for all pupils. They have high aspirations for pupils' academic and personal development.

Generally, plans are well-sequenced, apart from in a few subjects. Where the curriculum thinking is more understood and secure, teachers ensure that pupils learn and remember more over time. The curriculum includes the key vocabulary that pupils need to know.

Learning in all subjects begins when children start school in the Reception classes. For example, children in the Reception Year learn about the different parts of plants. This lays the foundations for their future learning in science.

Regular checks keep curriculum leaders well informed about the quality of the curriculum in their subject areas. Leaders provide effective support to their colleagues when required. Staff have received appropriate training to deliver all areas of the curriculum.

As a result, in most subjects, leaders' intentions are fully established. However, in a few areas, such as design and technology, staff are less confident. Where this is the case, pupils do not learn as well as in other subjects.

Leaders have prioritised the teaching of reading. Children learn letter names and sounds from when they start school. All staff are well trained.

This ensures a consistent and systematic approach to the teaching of phonics in the Reception Year and key stage 1. As a result, most pupils learn letter sounds quickly and can soon blend and spell words. This helps them to become confident readers.

Adults regularly check that early readers know the sounds they need to read accurately.Any pupils identified as falling behind receive appropriate support to help them catch up.

Adults provide appropriate support to ensure that pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) achieve well over time.

This includes pre-teaching, breaking learning into smaller steps, the use of specific resources and visual prompts. Staff are skilled and know pupils well. They are timely and accurate in identifying pupils' needs.

Leaders ensure that support plans are appropriate. They regularly check their impact and ensure pupils with SEND access the same ambitious curriculum as others.

Pupils behave well.

Routines are established from the start of Reception and all pupils, including the youngest, respond positively to adults' high expectations. Leaders encourage all pupils to attend school well. They are rigorous in their checking of absence.

They are committed to working with parents to raise attendance levels further.

Leaders are ambitious for the personal development of pupils. They are also strongly committed to supporting pupils' well-being.

Pupils learn how to keep themselves healthy, including learning how to establish healthy relationships. They enjoy being active, including completing the daily mile. Pupils have a good understanding of differences and mutual respect.

Many pupils attend the extra activities on offer. They enjoy the visits and trips the school provides. These help pupils to widen their ambitions and interests.

Governors perform their duties effectively. They check the work of the leaders to ensure the quality of education continues to improve. Governors have an accurate understanding of the school's strengths and areas for development.

Staff are proud to work at Westfield School and enjoy doing so. They are a committed team. Staff feel supported by leaders.

They appreciate leaders' consideration of their workload and well-being.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

Staff are highly vigilant about all aspects of pupils' welfare.

Leaders have ensured that all staff know and understand how to use the school safeguarding procedures. Staff report any concerns, no matter how small. Leaders act promptly on the information they receive and seek support from outside agencies where appropriate.

Pupils are taught how to keep themselves safe, including when working online. They know whom to talk to if they have any worries and are confident that adults will resolve these.

What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

• In a few subjects, teachers do not have the confidence and skills to fully implement leaders' intended curriculum.

This means that pupils do not learn all the important knowledge they need in order to achieve well in these subjects. Leaders should ensure that teachers receive the right training in these subjects, so that they can deliver them effectively. Leaders should regularly check how well staff are implementing the curriculum and the impact of this.