John Wheeldon Primary Academy

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 17 June 2025

Pupils enjoy coming to John Wheeldon Primary Academy. This is a school that increasingly lives its 'PROUD' values of perseverance, respect, outstanding, unique and dynamic. As one pupil, typical of many, stated to the inspector: 'All the pupils are kind, and helpful teachers help John Wheeldon be as great as it is.' The school has high expectations for behaviour, which pupils understand. This means that they typically listen in class, try their hardest and behave in a considerate way at social times. Pupils know that adults will support them to meet the school's behaviour expectations. Pupils know that difference is accepted and celebrated in this diverse school. They understand that staff will listen to their worries or concerns and will support them. Pupils feel safe at the school. Pupils enjoy the many activities that the school organises for them. These include two residential trips, a trip to the beach and visits to local attractions. Pupils also enjoy the many sports activities and forest school provision. The school council works well with leaders to help make improvements at the school. These include the provision of playground equipment and developments to encourage a love of reading, such as a 'reading shed'.

What the school should improve

• The school has not yet ensured that all staff use assessment effectively to identify when pupils have fully understood their learning. As a result, on occasion, gaps in pupils' learning are not identified and closed. The school should ensure that assessment is used effectively to check pupils' understanding and that gaps in learning or misconceptions are closed through the teaching of the curriculum.
• There are inconsistencies in the application of the school's revised approach to the management of pupil behaviour. This means that the school's raised expectations are not consistently applied for some pupils who need specific support. Leaders should ensure that staff apply the school's behaviour policy consistently, using the information provided for those pupils who need additional support to meet the school's expectations.
• In the early years, some learning activities do not support key areas of learning for some children well enough. This means that gaps in curriculum knowledge for these children can persist. The school should ensure that all staff have a clear understanding of the children's needs and use this to design and target activities to build children's learning securely.

Read the full Ofsted report (opens in a new tab)