Woodlands Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Woodlands is a highly inclusive school. Pupils feel proud to attend. They enjoy school and talk enthusiastically about their learning.

Pupils have warm relationships with adults. Staff say there is a 'family feel'. This starts in the early years, where staff nurture and care for children well.

Many parents agree.

Leaders have worked hard to ensure that staff apply the behaviour policy consistently. They have established clear reward systems.

Pupils enjoy these and this motivates them to do well. They are polite and courteous to visitors. However, a small minority of pupils do not behave as well on the playground.

Pupils say that adults do ad...dress these issues but the number of incidents is still too high.

Leaders have considered the curriculum beyond the academic. In doing so, they have carefully considered the school's context.

They have carefully planned a series of milestones that pupils should experience before they leave in Year 6. These ensure that pupils develop their character and understand the world around them.

Pupils enjoy a range of clubs to develop interests, such as cookery, art and basketball.

Through links to a neighbouring school, pupils develop their musical talents in the school choir.

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

Leaders have improved the school significantly since the last inspection. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the work on the curriculum not having had its full impact, outcomes in national curriculum tests in 2022 were low.

However, pupils now learn well. Leaders, including those relatively new to their roles, have continuously checked the curriculum for its impact. They have drawn on external support to support this.

As a result, leaders know the strengths and weaknesses of the school well.

Leaders have established an ambitious curriculum from nursery to Year 6. They have given considerable thought as to when pupils learn different subjects to maximise how much they learn.

The curriculum is well sequenced so that pupils' knowledge builds on what they have learned in the past. For example, in mathematics, leaders' emphasis on fluency means pupils can solve more complex problems efficiently.

Leaders have raised expectations of what pupils should learn.

They do not make excuses for pupils' backgrounds. This has resulted in pupils developing a much deeper knowledge of the curriculum than in the past. For example, in art and design, pupils can recall the work of famous artists and the techniques they used.

In history, pupils confidently talk about historical events, such as the Great Fire of London.

Teachers regularly check on what pupils know. They quickly identify any gaps in knowledge and use this to adapt their teaching.

Staff know the pupils and families well. They adapt provision well for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Pupils, including those with complex needs, learn the same broad and balanced curriculum.

Leaders have established a consistent and rigorous approach to the teaching of early reading. Children learn to read as soon as they start in Reception. Leaders have trained staff in this approach.

Consequently, most staff implement the phonics curriculum well. However, a small number of staff still do not have the necessary skills to help pupils to read as well as they should. Occasionally, they ask pupils to sound out words that are not phonetically decodable or they do not address pupils' misconceptions when reading.

Leaders have placed a clear emphasis on developing pupils' oracy. In the nursery, staff share stories and songs to promote early language skills. Younger pupils learn discussion skills through the personal, social and health curriculum.

Teachers model how to respond to questions so that pupils speak in full sentences. Additionally, they ensure that pupils learn subject-specific vocabulary throughout the curriculum.

Pupils' personal development is a strength of Woodlands.

They learn about the importance of mental and physical health. Pupils know the importance of respecting different opinions. Through the school council, pupils have a voice in the running of the school.

They can talk about different religions and cultures. As a result, pupils are well prepared for life in modern Britain.

Leaders prioritise staff's well-being and take workload into account.

Staff recognise the changes in the school. They feel that leaders treat everyone equally. Staff feel proud to work at Woodlands.

Governance is a strength of the school. Following the previous inspection, the governing body commissioned a series of reviews and training to strengthen their roles. Governors now know the school well.

This is because they diligently scrutinise and check the information that leaders present to them. Their evaluation of the school is accurate.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

Leaders place safeguarding as its highest priority. They have established a culture where staff understand that safeguarding is everyone's responsibility. Staff note down any concerns they have, however small.

Leaders act swiftly on these concerns. They escalate these as necessary. Staff work tirelessly with a variety of agencies to ensure that families get the ongoing support they need.

Governors make regular checks on aspects of the safeguarding work, including records of recruitment. Pupils know how to stay safe online. They know the importance of not sharing personal details with strangers.

What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

• A small number of staff lack the expertise to teach phonics effectively. As a result, some pupils do not have their misconceptions addressed correctly. Leaders need to ensure that staff are well trained in the teaching of phonics and check the impact of the training so that staff can support pupils to read well.

• Leaders' work on behaviour has not had the desired impact at social times. Consequently, a minority of pupils do not behave well on the playground. Leaders need to ensure that their systems improve pupils' behaviour and reduce the number of incidents at playtimes and lunchtimes.

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