Pool-in-Wharfedale Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 3 December 2024

Pupils are happy in this welcoming school. Relationships across the school are warm and respectful, reflecting the school's positive culture and vision that pupils can 'believe and achieve'. Pupils enjoy coming to school and their attendance is improving rapidly. Pupils are proud to represent their school in the community. The school choir has recently performed at the Otley Victorian Market and the civic service at the local church. The school provides events at which pupils can perform and show their talents. The school is aspirational for what it wants pupils to learn. However, this vision is not being fully realised across all subjects. Pupils develop secure knowledge and skills in reading and mathematics and achieve well. However, their learning is less secure in some subjects in the wider curriculum. Pupils are given opportunities to participate in a wide range of school clubs, including 'go wild', netball, choir and science club. These clubs are well attended. Pupils are eager and proud to hold positions of responsibility. They effectively and sensitively support younger pupils in their roles as 'pool pals', eco-warriors and digital leaders. Some pupils support other pupils' well-being in their role as 'Mindmate' ambassadors.

What the school should improve

• In some subjects in the wider curriculum, the school has not identified clearly enough the important knowledge and skills that pupils need to learn. This makes it difficult for pupils to build secure knowledge over time. The school should work with teachers to better map out the important information that pupils need and to check how well this knowledge is learned.
• The school does not ensure that the learning needs of some pupils with SEND are met well enough. This means that these pupils do not achieve as well as they could. The school should ensure that teaching is better adapted to support the learning of pupils with SEND.
• Foundational skills in letter and number formation are not taught to consistent effect. Errors in these areas are not consistently addressed. The school should set clear expectations for pupils' letter and number formation and help pupils to meet these expectations.
• Pupils do not have a secure understanding of different faiths, cultures or British values. They are not aware of the British values and the similarities and differences associated with world religions and the beliefs others may have. The school should ensure that pupils develop their knowledge and understanding of British values and different cultures, faiths and religions in order to better prepare them for life in modern Britain.

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