Widewell Primary Academy

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school. Pupils make good progress in reading, writing, English and mathematics. Since the last inspection there has been a steady improvement in the proportion of pupils who reach the expected Level 4 in English, especially in reading, and in mathematics.

Pupils with special educational needs are making good progress because they are taught well. Good provision for the many pupils who qualify for additional support because of their circumstances enables them to make good progress. The gap between their attainment and that of other pupils is closing rapidily.

Teachers have high expectations of what pupils can achieve and plan work that challenges... and interests them. The school is a very harmonious community. Pupils behave well, feel safe and know how to stay safe.

The school is improving rapidly under the strong leadership of the headteacher and effective governing body. Leaders have an accurate view of the school's strengths and weaknesses. Leaders at all levels check the quality of teaching and learning well and provide support through one-to-one coaching and the sharing of good practice.

It is not yet an outstanding school because : Children in the Nursery and Reception do not have easy access to outdoor activities and do not have enough opportunities to make independent choices in their learning. Pupils do not as well in writing as in reading and mathematics, especially boys. Systems for analysing data are not rigorous enough to provide senior leaders and governors with easily accessible information on how well the whole school or different groups and cohorts are performing in comparison to all schools nationally.

Information about this school

This school is smaller than the average primary school. Almost all pupils are of White British origin with fewer than average from other ethnic groups. The proportion of disabled pupils and those with special educational needs who are supported at school action is average.

The proportion who are supported at school action plus or who have statements of special educational needs is above average. Far more pupils than average leave or enter the school other than at the usual time, mainly due to the high proportion of children from service families who move due to postings. The turnover of pupils during the last academic year was more than a third.

Over two thirds of the current Year 6 pupils have joined the school during Years 3 to 6. The proportion of pupils eligible for the pupil premium is around 48% and above the national average. This includes children in local authority care, children of service families and those known to be eligible for free school meals.

The school is owned by an educational trust and also houses a charity, 'The Ark', which provides support for pupils and families whose circumstances may make them vulnerable. The school is due to become an academy on 1 February 2013. The school meets the government's floor standards which set the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress.

Also at this postcode