Walpole Cross Keys Primary School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 5 June 2024

Walpole Cross Keys is a small, friendly school which serves the local community well. There is a strong sense of camaraderie and pupils benefit from being part of this close- knit environment. Older pupils and their younger peers learn well together. They demonstrate high levels of respect for each other and towards the adults. From Reception, pupils demonstrate positive attitudes towards their learning. If they find something tricky, they use the strategies that adults have taught them to overcome any challenges. Adults ensure that pupils are given appropriate opportunities to excel in their learning. Pupils are proud when they do well. They listen attentively while adults explain things to them. Strong learning routines are well established across all classes, and low- level disruption is uncommon. On the rare occasion that a pupil struggles to manage their emotions, adults are skilled at providing prompt support. This quickly helps them settle back to their work. Pupils really enjoy the wide range of different clubs that they attend to keep fit and healthy, or to develop their interests. The offer regularly changes so pupils can try many interesting new activities. Football and table tennis are popular, as well as band club and choir.

What the school should improve

• The school's reading curriculum, for pupils who have moved beyond the phonics programme, is not well designed to promote a love of reading. Many pupils are not engaged by the books they read in school. They do not find them relevant or interesting. The school needs to review the reading curriculum to ensure it supports all pupils to develop their enjoyment of reading.

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