Walverden Primary School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 21 March 2023

Staff and pupils at Walverden Primary School are caring and welcoming. Pupils, including children in early years, enjoy coming to school. They value the nurture that they receive from leaders and their teachers. Pupils respond well to the high expectations set by leaders for their behaviour. Pupils are respectful and polite to their peers and adults. Leaders resolve any instances of bullying sensitively and swiftly. This helps pupils feel safe in school. Leaders and governors want pupils, including those with special educational needs/and or disabilities (SEND), to thrive academically. Leaders know the pupils and the local community well. They have shaped the curriculum to meet pupils' interests and to help them to achieve well. Pupils embrace leadership roles, such as being an eco-warrior and learning champion. Such positions improve pupils' ability to interact with others, which supports their confidence. Pupils enjoy serving their wider community through making hampers for the elderly and fundraising for charities. Pupils keep healthy through taking part in sports competitions, dance and swimming activities.

What the school should improve

• In some subjects, leaders have not made it clear how pupils will build on what they already know. This stops some pupils from building their knowledge securely over time. Leaders should identify and then carefully order the key knowledge that they want pupils to remember.
• Teachers' checks on pupils' learning are not as effective as they could be in identifying gaps in knowledge. This means that some pupils find it hard to recall what they have been taught. Leaders should ensure that teachers are well equipped to check that pupils know and remember more of the curriculum.

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