Wood Fold Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils thrive at this school.

They are happy here and feel safe. Relationships between pupils and staff are built on high levels of trust and respect.

Throughout the school, pupils' behaviour is exemplary.

They are kind and courteous. Teachers establish routines to support excellent behaviour in the early years and these high expectations for pupils' behaviour continue throughout the school.

Pupils achieve remarkably well.

This includes pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Pupils do their utmost to reach the high standards that the school sets for their achievement. There is a quiet buzz of excitement during less...ons as pupils relish the opportunity to learn new things.

Pupils have rich and varied opportunities to develop their wider talents. The school ensures that their interests are nurtured through a plethora of clubs. Trips and sporting, musical and art clubs are offered to all.

Take up by pupils is extremely high.

Pupils undertake a range of community projects. These support their understanding of issues facing their wider community and how they may help others.

The 'skills for life' activities provide ample opportunities for pupils to develop their confidence, independence and resilience both at home and in school.

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

The school has designed an ambitious curriculum that carefully identifies what pupils need to know and remember over time. This begins from the moment that they enter the early years.

The school has highly effective processes to identify and support pupils with additional needs. Staff expertly adapt the delivery of the curriculum. As a result, pupils, including those with SEND, develop a rich body of knowledge that enables them to make connections and apply their knowledge across different subjects and topics.

High-quality training provided by the school ensures that teachers are extremely well-equipped to deliver the curriculum with expertise and flair. The school provides well-considered resources which engage and motivate pupils. Teachers design and deliver carefully crafted activities to meet pupils' needs.

For example, pupils were able to talk about what they had learned previously and how this helped them to embark on new learning with confidence. Teachers regularly check for understanding and address misconceptions at the point of learning. They also help pupils to work things out for themselves.

Pupils are, therefore, resilient and do not give up. They love to solve problems, especially when conducting experiments in science. They work well independently, and in groups, to find solutions.

The school places great importance on the teaching of reading. It begins in the early years, where children take delight in listening to and sharing stories and rhymes. The school has ensured that staff have developed expertise in teaching phonics.

Pupils understand phonics lesson routines and receive well-judged support to read well. This enables them to learn to read quickly and accurately. Those pupils who may find reading more difficult are well supported to catch up quickly.

The approach to fluency used by the school from year 2 onwards works exceptionally well to improve the pace of pupils' reading and their understanding of what they have read.

Older pupils are enthusiastic readers. They have access to a wide variety of well-chosen, high-quality texts within classrooms.

Visits to the local library also encourage pupils to read more widely and often. Pupils also understand that reading will support them in their wider learning.

There are very few distractions to learning.

There is a calm and orderly atmosphere throughout the school. Attendance rates are high. For those whose attendance may fall below the expected level, support is put in place quickly to bring about improvement.

Pupils' personal development is exceptionally well thought through. It supports pupils to develop their character, interests and talents to an impressive level. They learn how to keep themselves safe online.

They develop empathy and respect for other cultures and beliefs. As a result, pupils are highly considerate of the views and beliefs of different groups of people. Pupils value and celebrate differences.

Pupils enjoy the leadership responsibilities on offer, such as being office helpers or playground buddies. They particularly enjoy reading activities with the younger pupils. The school's choir and sports teams also give pupils a chance to represent the school at events within the wider community.

Governors fulfil their role with commitment and tenacity. They hold the school to account fully for the quality of the education pupils receive.

Staff are proud to work at this school.

They appreciate the support they receive and leaders' actions to manage their workload. They share their leaders' relentless commitment to providing a high-quality education.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.