Woodnewton- A Learning Community

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

This is a vibrant school where pupils work hard. This is because the school is ambitious for all its pupils.

Pupils' attitudes to their learning, and their behaviour, are exceptional. Pupils show sustained levels of concentration in lessons. They are keen to do their best.

Central to the school are its values of respect, responsibility, friendship, compassion, trust and hope. Pupils learn how to apply these values in their lives in and out of school. The termly 'tea party' celebrates and exemplifies these values and ensures that pupils understand their importance.

Pupils develop respectful relationships with each other and the staff. The school provides oppor...tunities to broadens pupils' horizons. Pupils learn the importance of respecting difference.

Pupils feel their needs are well supported. As one pupil typically stated: 'Staff help pupils with differences such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism and anxiety. The school really helped me with that.'



There are a broad range of opportunities for pupils to experience responsibility. Members of the Youth Parliament talk proudly of their work. Attendance captains promote the importance of coming to school regularly.

Visits to local residential care homes develop a sense of community. Work with charities teaches pupils the importance of being good citizens.

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

The teaching of reading and mathematics has greatly improved.

The school is resolute in its aspiration to raise standards. The school has ensured that staff have the necessary knowledge to be able to teach these subjects well, including through extensive training. Regular checks ensure that there is a consistent approach in how the curriculums in these subjects are taught.

The school has also engaged well with support from other professionals, including from the trust, to ensure that the right approaches are taken to teaching these subjects. However, these recent improvements have yet to come through into current published outcomes.

The sharp focus on improving pupils' knowledge and skills in reading, including developing a broader vocabulary, is helping them to engage in their learning and achieve greater success.

Pupils explore quality texts. They develop a deep understanding of the authors intentions. The teaching of phonics is consistent.

Books closely match the sounds pupils are learning. Pupils practice reading daily. Staff swiftly identify if pupils fall behind.

Pupils receive the support they need to catch-up quickly. Pupils particularly enjoy it when teachers read them stories. Pupils develop a love of books and reading.

The school's broader curriculum identifies the key knowledge pupils need to know. However, in a few subjects, there are inconsistencies in how teachers deliver the curriculum. In those subjects it is not yet having the intended impact.

Teachers typically make lessons engaging. Pupils talk enthusiastically about their learning. Adults use of questioning challenges pupils' thinking and guides them in their learning.

Teachers regularly check during lessons what pupils have learned. They revisit learning from previous lessons to help pupils to make strong connections in their learning within and across subjects. However, in a few subjects, pupils do not remember all that they have been taught from further in the past.

This is because systems to check what pupils know and remember over time are not yet fully developed.

The school supports its youngest children well. Children settle well into the early years foundation stage (EYFS).

Staff establish routines quickly. Expectations for children's behaviour are high. It is a stimulating and fun environment.

Tasks and activities have clear learning intentions. These activities support children to learn the key knowledge to be ready for their next stage in education. Children work together and share their learning with each other.

Recent improvements have sharpened the systems to identify the needs of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Individual plans provide the details needed to ensure that these pupils receive appropriate support in lessons. Specialist provision supports pupils with complex needs.

Relationships between adults and pupils in these units are strong and respectful.

Pupils' behaviour is exemplary. There is a genuine feel of mutual respect between staff and pupils.

Pupils play well with each other at playtimes and lunchtimes, respecting space and rules. Inside the school is calm and ordered. Visitors feel welcome and greeted warmly.

Pupils say that bullying rarely happens but always dealt with. The school is tenacious to ensure that all pupils attend school regularly. Recent changes to the attendance policy have brought about rapid improvements in attendance.

These include working more closely with families and using the school minibus to pick pupils up if required.

The school's 'childhood pledge' sets out its commitment to develop the whole child. The pledge enables pupils to visit a residential home, make a card for someone, donate to a food bank and run a stall.

It helps build character, develop independence and an appreciation of diversity. Pupils learn how to be active citizens.

The school demonstrates great determination to improve.

The improvement work that has been undertaken by the school, the trust and governors has been managed carefully to ensure that changes are manages at an appropriate pace. Staff appreciate the consideration of their workload and well-being.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

• The broader curriculum is not yet fully developed in a few subjects. This means that, in those subjects, there are inconsistencies in how teachers deliver the curriculum and therefore the curriculum it is not having the intended impact. The school should complete the work to check on the effectiveness of the curriculum in those subjects so that that the school's ambition is fully realised.

• In a few foundation subjects, pupils do not remember all that they have been taught. This is because systems to check what pupils know and remember over time are not yet fully developed. The school should ensure that they refine the systems to identify gaps in pupils' knowledge and revisit that necessary learning so that pupils remember all that they have learned.