Kings Wood School and Nursery

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 3 December 2024

Pupils are happy and safe at this vibrant school. They talk confidently about how they are supported with their mental health and well-being. Pupils know how to use technology safely, including staying safe online. Pupils learn about the values of trying your best and being kind. Pupils understand the fundamental British values. They learn about the rule of law, right and wrong from the beginning of the early years. Behaviour is managed effectively. The school is a calm and purposeful environment. Pupils are respectful towards staff and each other. Pupils have many opportunities to develop their talents and interests. Pupils have a love of music. They enjoy learning musical instruments including violin, drums, ukelele, recorder and keyboard. Pupils access educational opportunities, such as theatre visits, school performances and choir concerts, with an increasing sense of accomplishment and confidence. In some subjects, such as mathematics, physical education (PE) and history, pupils learn well. However, in some other subject areas, such as writing and early reading, pupils do not develop their understanding securely. Too many pupils have gaps in their knowledge and the school's progress to address this has been too slow. As a result, some pupils do not achieve as well as they should by the end of key stage 2.

What the school should improve

• Governors do not hold the school to account as effectively as they should. The school is not improving pupils' achievement quickly enough. The governing body should ensure that it is well equipped to provide effective challenge to the school to improve the quality of education that pupils receive.
• The school's approach to teaching reading is not as effective as it should be. The school's phonics programme has not been implemented consistently well. As a result, pupils do not achieve as well as they should. The school needs to ensure consistency and accuracy in the implementation of the phonics programme so that pupils become confident, fluent readers early in their school lives.
• Some aspects of the writing curriculum, such as transcription skills, do not have a strong enough impact on pupils' learning. As a result, some pupils do not achieve as securely as they should by the end of key stage 2. The school has already recognised this and should ensure that strategies to support pupils with their writing build pupils' knowledge and understanding consistently and effectively.

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