Pudsey Waterloo Primary

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 10 May 2022

Staff and pupils are proud to be a part of the school community. Leaders and staff model positive and respectful relationships. Pupils learn to be resilient and reflective. All members of the school community work as a team to make Pudsey Waterloo a happy and successful school. Pupils value the many opportunities the school provides, including a range of clubs and trips. They enjoy activities such as charity fundraising or local community events like the Pudsey carnival. They know reading is important and are keen to talk about the books they have read together. Leaders are ambitious for all pupils. They have carefully considered each subject and are continuing to strengthen their well-structured curriculum. Pupils work hard because lessons are often interesting and engaging. Those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are supported well. Most pupils get on with each other well. They develop positive relationships with adults. Bullying is rare. If it does occur, pupils and their parents are confident that it will be quickly sorted out. Leaders' records show this too. Pupils feel safe in school. They know they can talk to trusted adults if they are worried, and that they will be listened to. Several parents told inspectors that this is a school that goes 'above and beyond' to support not only their children, but often the whole family.

What the school should improve

• Leaders have ensured that curriculum planning includes a focus on learning vocabulary. However, many pupils struggle to talk about what they know. They find it difficult to explain their thinking and rarely ask questions to extend their learning. Leaders should continue the work that has begun to strengthen speaking and listening across the curriculum. They should ensure that staff consistently model and promote the schools' agreed strategies, with a particular focus on talking about learning.
• In some subjects, curriculum leaders are not yet sufficiently clear about the essential knowledge pupils need to learn and remember to support the next stage of their learning. This means some pupils struggle to make the links with prior learning as effectively as they could. Leaders should ensure that assessment actively supports pupils to successfully build on prior knowledge so that they know more, can do more and remember more of the intended curriculum.

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