Warboys Primary Academy

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 14 May 2024

Pupils are beginning to benefit from the necessary changes the school has made. They are safe and cared for. Pupils appreciate that staff want them to succeed, both academically and socially. However, much of the work to improve how well pupils achieve is still at the early stages. This means some pupils still have gaps in their knowledge. Pupils enjoy much of their learning. Children in early years like their new topics. In lessons, most pupils listen and focus well. Pupils appreciate that bullying is rare and that adults deal with it well. Behaviour at lunchtime can be positive. This is in part due to the structured activities now available. However, some pupils still choose not to follow the school rules. Some disengage from learning or repeat unwelcome behaviours. There are instances where some staff do not consistently help pupils to manage their behaviour. There are a range of wider opportunities that pupils benefit from. Sports clubs, choir, school performances and volunteering in the community helps to develop pupils' talents and interests. School councillors are proud of their achievements, such as raising money for new play equipment. Visits to places such as museums help to deepen pupils understanding of what they learn in school.

What the school should improve

• The school has not completed all its work on updating the curriculum. Staff are not clear yet as to how detailed knowledge builds in a few subjects, including in aspects of reading and writing. This means, sometimes, work is set that is not suitably ambitious or gaps in pupils' learning develop. The school should ensure that all staff have a clear understanding of what pupils must learn and to what standard so that work produced shows these high expectations and pupils secure the in-depth knowledge expected.
• Teachers do not consistently use their checks on pupils' learning to adapt activities. For some pupils, work is not accurately matched to their needs or targets are not precise enough. This includes pupils with SEND and children in the early years. As a result, these pupils do not have sufficient support to address gaps in knowledge, including in reading and writing. Sometimes, they disengage in learning. Staff need to use their checks on learning to provide pupils with work and targets that meet their specific learning needs so pupils catch up and engage in learning successfully.
• There are occasions where some pupils do not follow the school rules. There are inconsistencies in how effectively some staff use the behaviour policy when this happens. This leads to some pupils not improving their behaviour. They also miss out on important learning. The school should ensure all staff consistently apply the agreed approaches to behaviour. This is so these pupils learn to sustain good behaviour choices and participate in learning.

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