Wolviston Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils shape the warm, happy and safe ethos in their school.

They suggest ways the school can improve, including creating a 'wolf pack', where pupils design games for younger peers to play during social times. This helps pupils of all ages to mix confidently. It also contributes to the impressive community spirit throughout the school.

The school's motto begins 'Small school, big dreams'. Pupils are proud that the school helps them reach ambitious goals. Visiting speakers enthuse pupils about future careers.

Pupils enjoy exceptional pastoral care blended with high academic standards. Pupils achieve well. This is evident in published outcomes.

The cur...riculum also prepares pupils well for their next steps in learning. The early years setting is vibrant, successful and a language-rich environment. Thoughtfully planned activities absorb children in learning.

Children confidently share this learning with others. They use ambitious vocabulary linked to their current theme. This includes talking about how bears 'hibernate' in the winter.

Strong foundations prepare children well for Year 1 and beyond.

Pupils are proud of their local community. They write to the local care home.

Pupils also pick litter in the streets. Parents and carers refer to the school as being at the heart of their village.

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

Over recent years, the school has overhauled and improved the curriculum.

Experienced staff with strong subject knowledge bring the curriculum to life. Pupils are enthusiastic about their learning. They enjoy connecting learning to local history.

This includes studying the impact of the Second World War on nearby towns. Some subjects in the wider curriculum are still under review. Here, approaches to checking what pupils have learned are not embedded.

This means the school is less clear about what pupils know, remember and can do in these areas. It can also slow pupils' progress through the curriculum. Across all classes in the school, pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) thrive.

Skilful and personalised support helps pupils make strong progress through the curriculum.

Pupils become confident and fluent readers. This begins in the early years.

Nursery children learn to distinguish sounds. They do this in the setting and outside in the school grounds. Children also listen to stories intently.

They express awe and wonder as skilled adults discuss the books' themes. This prepares children exceptionally well for Reception. Staff teach children phonics with precision.

Children make excellent progress in their reading. Targeted intervention ensures that everyone keeps up. Older pupils continue to embed their passion for reading.

They love to read aloud to others. Pupils have a mature understanding of equality. Well-chosen books help inspire this knowledge.

These texts enable pupils to explore and debate life in modern Britain. Pupils' sense of fairness and respect is deeply ingrained.

Pupils' personal development is at the heart of the school's work.

The school teaches pupils to look after their own mental health and that of others. Pupils enjoy 'chill-out club' at lunchtime if they want a quiet space. Staff in the early years teach children to share, take turns and play together well.

This enhances their social development. Leadership opportunities are plentiful and varied. Pupils are proud of their roles as librarians, school champions and ambassadors.

The school council is active in the school. Council members organise termly events that everyone enjoys. They also select and invite inspirational local speakers into school.

Pupils are well prepared for their move to secondary school.

The school's commitment to developing pupils' character has notable impact. Pupils' behaviour and attitudes are a significant strength of the school.

Pupils hold doors open for visitors. They display impressive manners to peers and staff alike. Pupils also encourage their peers to take part in activities and learning.

Staff instil these positive attitudes in pupils in many ways. Pupils love receiving rewards certificates from the head boy and girl. They are proud to collect 'wolf tokens' or take home 'Wolfie', the school mascot.

This recognition of positive contributions links expertly to the school's extended motto, 'learning, caring, succeeding…together'. Pupils enjoy school, and their high rates of attendance are testament to this.

Trust leaders and those responsible for governance support the school well.

Staff are proud to work in the school. They know they make a difference. Staff are confident that the school considers their workload and well-being carefully.

Parents are expansive in their praise for the school. Many parents comment on how the school develops their child's confidence. Parents also enjoy opportunities to engage with the school.

This includes family reading in the early years. Close links with the school help parents feel well informed about their child's education.

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 embedded a consistent approach to checking on pupils' learning. The school does not currently have a clear enough picture of what pupils know, remember and can do in these areas, which could slow pupils' progress through the curriculum. The school should ensure it has clear approaches in place to check that pupils have successfully learned and applied the intended curriculum.