Whissendine Church of England Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

The 'Whissendine DNA' is the bedrock of this remarkable village school. These three core principles, 'Discover', 'Nurture' and 'Achieve', underpin the high-quality education and the exceptional personal development provision on offer. The school's high expectations are reflected in how well pupils achieve in reading, writing and mathematics.

Pupils' commitment to learning and their positive attitudes towards the differences between people are testament to the school's first-rate character education.

Pupils' behaviour is impeccable. They are welcoming and polite.

Pupils have an appetite for learning. They try their best, working with great enthusiasm, enjoymen...t and care. Pupils listen respectfully to staff and their classmates alike.

They collaborate and socialise harmoniously. These exemplary traits are established in the school's exceptional early years provision.

Pupils are proud of their school.

They attend well. The school is a place they feel welcome, valued, trusted and safe. Pupils embody the school's '6R' values of readiness, respect, resilience, resourcefulness, responsibility and reflection.

Staff model these values and refer to them at every opportunity. They teach pupils about inspiring individuals who have exemplified the '6Rs'. The school's 'Amazing People Award' enables pupils to deepen their knowledge of these motivational role models.

The school's extensive enrichment offer is excellent.

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

Pupils achieve exceptionally well in English and mathematics, year after year. These impressive outcomes are founded on the excellent start that children make in the Reception Class.

In the early years, there is a sharp focus on developing children's communication and language skills. Children have frequent opportunities to secure their understanding of early number too.

The school's curriculum is ambitious and well-designed.

Leaders have thought carefully about the journey that pupils will take through the curriculum so that pupils in mixed-age classes will cover the same content. Teachers ensure that pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) can access the curriculum and succeed. The school identifies additional needs swiftly.

Teachers make effective adaptations to lessons. Pupils with SEND achieve well.

Teachers explain concepts clearly.

They check closely on pupils' understanding in lessons. The development of pupils' vocabulary is a key feature of the curriculum. Teachers introduce new vocabulary and help pupils use these terms.

However, the curriculum is not having the full impact that the school intends. In a few subjects, some pupils do not remember key content securely. This is because teachers do not revise and secure important prior learning as frequently as they could in these subjects.

There is a vibrant reading culture at Whissendine. Pupils experience a diverse range of high-quality fiction, non-fiction and poems. As well as developing their understanding of language, the school has chosen texts to teach pupils about different ways of life.

Staff promote the love of reading from the moment children start at the school. Pupils really enjoy the school's weekly 'lost in a book' sessions, choosing which stories they would like to hear. Phonics is taught exceptionally well.

The school tracks how well pupils are progressing in phonics closely. If any pupil falls behind, they are given support to catch up. Pupils swiftly learn to read with fluency and confidence.

Early years staff teach children how to be effective learners. They show children how to work on their own and as part of a team. They help children recognise and respond to how they are feeling.

Children in the Reception Class sustain their concentration and make the most of all the learning activities on offer. Older pupils build on these firm foundations. Learning behaviours throughout the school are outstanding.

Pupils' personal development is planned meticulously. The school skilfully weaves spiritual, moral, social and cultural education into every facet of school life. Pupils learn about equality and diversity in all subjects.

They are interested in the world and all its wonderful differences. The school's character education helps pupils to become well-rounded, fair, resilient, inclusive, confident individuals. Pupils can develop a vast range of talents and interests.

There are an abundance of meaningful leadership roles and many opportunities for pupils to support each other's well-being.

Many parents and carers praise the school. They appreciate the high-quality education and care it provides for their children.

However, several parents do not feel that the school shares information effectively. Some parents say that the school does not respond to their concerns or listen to their opinions well enough.

Staff enjoy working at Whissendine.

The school benefits from strong, passionate leadership at all levels. Local governors and the trust team provide effective challenge and support.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

• In some foundation subjects, staff do not go over key curriculum content as systematically as they could. Consequently, some pupils do not remember what they have been taught in sufficient detail. The school should refine its approach to the retention of important prior learning so that pupils gain a rich body of knowledge in all subjects.

• Several parents do not feel that the school engages with them well enough or communicates effectively. As a result, some parents do not understand the positive changes made at the school. The school should continue to develop ways of working with families so that all parents feel well informed about their child's education and have opportunities to share their views.