Wigmore Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Outcome

Wigmore Primary School continues to be a good school.

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils are happy and confident, and enjoy being with their friends. Pupils say, 'Our school is fun, fair and we work as a team.' Staff and pupils welcome visitors to their school and they are proud to show it off.

The school's motto is 'Enjoying learning together'. Linked to this, leaders and staff want pupils to do their very best and be happy at the same time. They have successfully created a climate where this happens.

There is a calm atmosphere in classrooms and around the school. This means that pupils can learn without distraction. Pupils' behaviour is positive and they get a...long with each other.

Pupils have a clear understanding of the different types of bullying. Bullying is rare, but when it does happen, staff are quick to deal with it.

Parents and pupils value the wide range of after-school clubs and off-site visits, especially the trip to Dunkirk.

These activities help to make pupils' learning exciting and memorable. Parents value the welcoming atmosphere of the school. Parents say, 'The school feels like a family and the older children look after the younger ones.'



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

Most of the curriculum is well planned. In many subjects, teachers are clear about what to teach, when to teach it and the order in which knowledge needs to be taught. This means that teaching builds on what pupils have learned before.

In these subjects, pupils remember what they have been taught and they can speak confidently about it. Standards achieved in national tests in English and mathematics are consistently above the national average.

In a few subjects, such as computing, the sequence of learning is not as well developed.

Lessons are not always connected and do not always build on what pupils have learned in the past. In these subjects, pupils do not remember what they have been taught as readily as in other subjects.

When children join the Nursery and Reception classes they settle quickly and are keen to learn.

This is because staff work closely with families, even before children start school. Children are thrilled to be learning new things and they get very excited. Activities build on what children already know because the teaching is planned well.

Staff encourage learning at every opportunity. Children are confident, curious and keen to speak to visitors. The classrooms and outdoor areas are welcoming and support learning.

Strong relationships exist between the staff and the children. Children are nurtured and cared for well.

Teachers put their own stamp on teaching and make lessons interesting.

Teachers have good subject knowledge. As a result, they explain new ideas clearly in ways that pupils understand. Teachers model subject-specific language during lessons accurately.

Pupils are starting to do the same when they share their understanding. Teachers and teaching assistants use questioning well to check and deepen pupils' understanding.

In nearly all cases, work set is matched to pupils' needs.

This means pupils can complete work independently with an appropriate level of support. Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are supported well.

Reading has a high priority across the school.

Pupils enjoy sharing stories. Phonics sessions are crisp, purposeful and well taught. Pupils read regularly in school and at home.

In most cases, reading books are well matched to pupils' reading ability.

Staff have high expectations of behaviour and pupils do not let them down. Pupils enjoy working together.

Learning discussions between pupils are common. Older pupils from the high school often visit to support pupils with their learning and play.

Trips, visits and special events make learning relevant.

Leaders have made links with a school in Tanzania. This helps to raise pupils' awareness of the world beyond Wigmore. Sport has a high priority in the school.

Pupils attend competitions against other schools. From an early age, pupils learn about healthy lifestyles. Older pupils know how to keep themselves safe online.

Leaders, teachers and support staff work well together. The school is well led. Pupils are at the centre of all decisions.

Staff value the training they receive. They agree that leaders are considerate of their well-being. Those responsible for governance are committed to helping the school provide the best possible education.

They support and challenge school leaders to bring about improvements. They make checks on the provision for English and mathematics. However, they are less confident when checking the quality of education in other subjects.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

Keeping pupils safe is the responsibility of everyone. Leaders check staff's suitability to work with children before they start to work at the school.

The school maintains detailed records relating to child protection. Leaders ensure that all staff complete regular training. As a result, staff know how to spot any signs that may raise concerns about a pupil's welfare.

Staff know what to do and act quickly when issues emerge. When required, the school works with external agencies to provide additional help for pupils. Pupils learn about how to keep themselves safe and manage everyday risks in a range of situations.

What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

The school's curriculum is designed, planned and ordered effectively in nearly all subjects. However, in a small number of the foundation subjects, such as computing, the sequence of learning is not as well developed. The school needs to build on the work already started to develop these subjects further.

They need to be planned and ordered to develop pupils' knowledge and skills over time. . Those responsible for governance carry out their duties with great diligence.

This includes monitoring the quality of education within the school. They make checks on the core subjects, especially English and mathematics. However, their ability to check on some of the foundation subjects is more limited.

Those responsible for governance should further develop their understanding of the whole curriculum. Consequently, they will be better equipped to hold school leaders to account for the quality of education in all curriculum areas.Background

When we have judged a school to be good we will then normally go into the school about once every four years to confirm that the school remains good.

This is called a section 8 inspection of a good school or non-exempt outstanding school. We do not give graded judgements on a section 8 inspection. However, if we find some evidence that the school could now be better than good or that standards may be declining, then the next inspection will be a section 5 inspection.

Usually this is within one to two years of the date of the section 8 inspection. If we have serious concerns about safeguarding, behaviour or the quality of education, we will convert the section 8 inspection to a section 5 inspection immediately.

This is the first section 8 inspection since we judged Wigmore Primary School to be good on 26 June 2015.