Whiteley Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils understand the school's aspirational, inclusive ethos profoundly well. Pupils talk about and model values such as resilience with exceptional consideration for staff and each other.

Pupils are very respectful and welcoming. They have a deep understanding of diversity and protected characteristics. Pupils genuinely care for others in the school community and beyond.

Pupils' attitudes to learning are excellent.

Pupils thrive through many opportunities which broaden their talents and interests. They develop the confidence to perform and share their love of music and the arts with others.

The school often takes a lead role at musical events and mu...sic provision is a particular strength. Pupils learn to play instruments, such as the flute and the violin, and participate in regular singing activities which start at the beginning of the early years. Pupils are very proud of their school.

Pupils achieve exceptionally high standards. The school is unwavering in its support for every pupil and the aim for all of them to achieve successfully. Disadvantaged pupils, in particular, benefit from the ambitious curriculum and thoughtful adaptations that help them to learn very securely.

The school works really hard to make sure all pupils succeed. Pupils are prepared for their next stages of education thoroughly well.

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

Children in Reception have no limits or barriers to their learning.

They flourish in engaging learning environments. Staff focus on communication, language, and personal development very effectively. The school creates many opportunities for children to practise the key skills that they need to be ready for key stage 1.

Staff have excellent subject knowledge. They use traditional stories, poems, songs, and nursery rhymes really well, often linking these to the wider curriculum.

The school has an ambitious curriculum for all pupils.

Staff design sequences of lessons that help pupils to build on their prior learning fully. Subject areas such as writing are taught expertly. Staff use texts skilfully to help pupils to develop their confidence and understanding.

Key knowledge is made explicit for pupils. For example, when studying animal life cycles in science, younger pupils are clear in describing terms such as 'maturity', 'producer' and 'consumer' and older pupils can build on this and talk about respiration and taxonomy clearly. Across all subjects, pupils' work is of a high quality.

The curriculum has a strong, positive impact on pupils' learning.

Reading is taught excellently. Library time, book club, choral reading and story time all contribute to a strong culture of prioritising books and reading from Reception to the end of key stage 2.

For pupils at the earliest stages of learning to read, books are matched closely to the sounds they have learned. Staff check how well pupils have learned the phonics curriculum and if any pupils fall behind, they receive support quickly. Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) have their needs identified quickly.

Staff adapt learning successfully. As a result, pupils learn to read fluently and many pupils achieve highly in reading by the end of Year 6.

Pupils' behaviour is impeccable.

Staff have the highest expectations of pupils and apply the behaviour policy consistently and sensitively. If any pupil struggles with their behaviour, staff take highly effective action to address this. There is no low-level disruption in lessons and pupils' conduct around the school and at lunchtimes is calm and respectful.

Attendance is strong and has been sustained over time. The school does everything it could reasonably do to ensure pupils attend school regularly. Pupils feel safe and are very happy.

Pupils enjoy many activities that develop their talents and interests. School clubs, such as choir, football, tennis, archery, and orchestra, give pupils the chance to grow in confidence and experience new opportunities. School trips include residential stays to Stubbington and Avon Tyrell in what is a carefully considered programme of extra-curricular activities.

Enrichment and aspiration opportunities are extensive and valued enormously by pupils. Pupils understand democracy, the rule of law and can debate issues in balanced ways positively.

Governors know the strengths of the school and the areas of focus which help to secure continued high standards.

Governors are passionate advocates for disadvantaged pupils. They support and challenge the school while helping staff to maintain a manageable workload. Staff are proud of the teamwork and togetherness that helps them to sustain excellence in a healthy, supportive environment.

Parents are full of praise and appreciation. One parent summed up the thoughts of many others, stating, 'This is a wonderful school…we couldn't ask for more.'

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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