Water Meadows Primary School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 28 January 2025

Pupils know that they are an important part of the team at Water Meadows. Their ideas and opinions are invited, valued and carefully considered. Pupils take their responsibilities, for example being part of developing playtimes or as digital leaders helping in computing lessons, seriously. They perform their roles diligently. Pupils know that they are expected to work hard. Mostly they attain well, particularly in English and mathematics. Pupils appreciate the thought that has gone into creating environments in which they can learn comfortably, such as flexible seating. Classrooms are calm, and pupils are settled and focused on learning. Most pupils behave well most of the time. Occasionally, a few pupils do not behave as well at social times as they do in class. The school is addressing this well through increased activities and support for pupils during these times. Parents appreciate the high levels of nurture and care provided for their children. They say that their children are happy, learning and growing in confidence. This is evident around the school. Pupils are polite and friendly. They are enthusiastic when talking about their learning and friendships. School is a happy and safe place for them.

What the school should improve

• Occasionally, the tasks teachers set pupils do not have a sharp enough focus on the key knowledge pupils need to learn. When this happens, pupils do not acquire knowledge as quickly and as well as they should. The school should continue to support teachers in identifying and focusing on the essential knowledge pupils need to know and understand.
• Subject leadership across the wider curriculum is developing as the new curriculum embeds and staffing grows with school expansion. Subject leaders across the wider curriculum have not yet checked that pupils are knowing more and remembering more across all subjects. The school should continue to train and support subject leaders to check and evaluate the effectiveness of the wider curriculum.
• Not all pupils attend school as regularly as they should. This means that pupils miss out on learning and have to catch up. The school should continue to analyse and address attendance concerns to secure even more improved attendance.

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