Winnall Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

The school is determined to widen pupils' horizons. Pupils are empowered to 'dream big and aim high'.

This is a highly inclusive school.

Pupils and their families benefit from the positive professional relationships that they form with staff. This helps pupils to thrive socially and emotionally. Pupils, including those who are disadvantaged, have positive, resilient attitudes towards their learning.

As a result, they learn and achieve well.

Pupils who are new to the school, including those who speak English as an additional language, settle in quickly. Staff support them well to help them to focus on their learning.

Pupils with special educa...tional needs and/or disabilities (SEND) have their needs accurately and promptly identified. Staff adapt learning activities so that pupils with SEND experience the same curriculum as their peers. Pupils leave the school well prepared for the next stage in their education.

The school has high expectations for pupils' behaviour and ensures that those who meet them are rewarded for their efforts. Consequently, pupils behave well in lessons. Pupils' conduct embodies the school's important value of respect.

They take turns and share well.

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

Leaders have designed a broad curriculum for all pupils. It is ambitious, meaningful and engaging.

Pupils are developing their knowledge securely. Many subjects benefit from enriching activities. For example, in art, pupils are inspired by visiting illustrators, entering Royal Academy competitions and appraising works of art in galleries.

However, in some other areas of the curriculum, including some areas of learning in the early years, the school is still determining the knowledge that pupils should acquire and the order in which this should be taught. This means that pupils are not always taught knowledge that builds on prior learning.

Teachers have good subject knowledge.

They explain new information clearly. Pupils' work shows that most are progressing well through the curriculum. In reading and mathematics, robust systems are in place to check for understanding.

This means that errors and misconceptions are addressed as they arise. However, this is less developed in other subjects, where pupils sometimes develop gaps in their learning that are not identified.

Pupils with SEND receive support to help them achieve well.

Teachers use a wide range of effective strategies that benefit all pupils, including those who speak English as an additional language.

The school places a high priority on the teaching of reading. This begins as soon as children start in Reception.

Those at the earliest stages of reading, including older pupils, are helped to become confident readers. Pupils who fall behind receive extra help. As a result, they quickly gain the knowledge and skills they need to become fluent readers.

They especially love reading to older students from a local school.

Children in early years are encouraged to join in with stories that they know. They become enthralled with expert storytelling which draws them into new and imaginative worlds.

They benefit from a caring and nurturing environment where there are regular purposeful interactions with adults. Staff help children to work collaboratively and independently for sustained periods of time.

High expectations for behaviour are clear and consistently applied.

Pupils know how to be courteous and respectful. They interact with one another very well. They develop a strong sense of right and wrong and do not tolerate injustice.

Improving attendance is a high priority and includes the demand that pupils are punctual to school every day. Consequently, pupils attend school regularly.

The programme of personal development is a strength of this school.

There are fruitful connections with the local Science Centre which provide pupils with the opportunity to learn from scientists and experiment using specialist equipment. An extensive range of sports, outdoor education, trips and visits broaden pupils' cultural capital. Pupils enjoy leadership roles such as serving as 'junior governors'.

This helps them to build a knowledge of concepts such as fairness, tolerance and equality.

Leaders, including governors, have tireless ambition to provide the best for pupils. They listen carefully and engage closely with the local community.

Consequently, Winnall Primary School is valued and trusted by many families. Staff workload and well-being are taken into consideration, and this allows them to do their best for pupils.

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 subjects, the school has not ensured that the curriculum has been designed to build on prior learning. In these subjects, teachers are hindered in designing learning that supports pupils to build logically on what they already know. The school should ensure that teachers are clear about the essential knowledge that pupils should learn at each stage of the curriculum.

• Sometimes, the school's assessment strategies do not enable teachers to check how well pupils are learning the curriculum. Consequently, teachers do not identify or address the gaps in pupils' knowledge or understanding as well as they could. The school should refine its approach to assessment so that teachers understand fully where pupils need to develop their learning further.

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