Willowbrook Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school Leaders and managers have high expectations of pupils and teachers. Their actions have ensured that the quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good and improving.

Leaders' support for pupils' personal development and welfare is outstanding. Adults know pupils well and ensure that levels of care are very high. Children in the early years make strong and sustained progress in their learning.

Their personal, social and emotional development is supported extremely well. The curriculum supports pupils' academic and personal development effectively. Pupils are equipped with knowledge, skills and understanding that prepare them for the ...next stage of their education and for life in modern British society.

Governors are increasingly effective in their roles. They use their accurate knowledge of the school to challenge and support leaders. Thus, the governing body contributes to securing any improvements that are needed.

Pupils conduct themselves well in lessons and around the school site. They are polite, considerate and respectful to one another and adults. Pupils' positive relationships contribute strongly to their willingness and readiness to learn.

Most current pupils, including pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) and disadvantaged pupils, make strong progress in a range of subjects, including English and mathematics. Leaders use additional funding efficiently. Disadvantaged pupils and pupils with SEND participate fully in activities.

Leaders' use of the sport premium ensures that pupils enjoy physical activities and learn about healthy lifestyles on a regular basis. Almost all pupils attend regularly. However, despite leaders' efforts, a small number of disadvantaged pupils and pupils with SEND have low levels of attendance.

Teachers do not consistently identify what skills and knowledge pupils need to develop next in subjects other than English and mathematics. This limits pupils' progress. Teachers usually plan learning activities that are well matched to pupils' capabilities.

Occasionally, activities in reading and writing do not challenge the most able pupils sufficiently. Pupils currently in key stage 2 are making good and improving progress in reading and writing. However, in the past, pupils, particularly the most able, have not always made the progress that they should have in these subjects.

Information about this school

Willowbrook Primary School is an average-sized primary school. The large majority of pupils are of White British heritage. The proportion of pupils who are eligible for the pupil premium is broadly average.

The proportions of pupils with SEND and those who have an education, health and care plan are above average. The local authority has provided support and challenge to the school and the governing body through a school effectiveness adviser. Leaders, governors and teachers have also used training and development opportunities provided by the local authority to support leadership development and improve the quality of teaching, learning and assessment.

The school also works with other local schools as part of the Brentwood Collaborative Partnership. The school has achieved an Eco-Schools Award and Advanced Healthy Schools status. The headteacher took up her post just prior to the previous inspection.

There have been a significant number of changes in staffing and responsibilities since the previous inspection. The school shares its site with Hutton Pre-school and The Wind in the Willows Nursery. These settings are not managed by the school and are inspected and reported on separately.

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