Waterman Primary School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 14 November 2023

Pupils at Waterman Primary enjoy the many responsibilities and opportunities they undertake. They are keen to improve the environment, for example the eco-warriors promote reductions in waste and paper usage. The school council makes sure that pupils' voices are heard. Pupils undertake the Hearts Promise, which provides a range of experiences they may not ordinarily have. There are many clubs, including dancing and water polo. Pupils make the most of the swimming pool they have on site. Pupils have coped well with the high turnover of teaching staff they have seen in school. They are following recently established routines and are building positive relationships with new staff. Pupils have confidence that staff will help them if they have a worry or concern. Children in the early years settle quickly into school life. Older pupils typically behave well. Sometimes, in lessons, they may stray off task. This is when staff do not pitch the curriculum to meet pupils' abilities or needs. Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) receive variable support.

What the school should improve

• Some staff do not readily pick up on when pupils have misconceptions about their learning. This means that these pupils do not master the basics before moving on to complex work. The school should review its formative assessment processes, giving appropriate support to staff so that they can tailor the curriculum precisely to pupils' needs. This will ensure pupils build on what they know and can do.
• The support for pupils with SEND is variable. Some support plans do not help teachers adequately to make curriculum adaptations for pupils. Some specialist provision for SEND is new and has not had time to take effect. The current status quo is hampering pupils' achievement over time. The school needs to continue with its plans to strengthen SEND provision so that this group of pupils learns as well as their peers who do not have SEND.
• The staff turnover has left the parent body feeling unsettled. Some have concerns that pupils do not behave as well as they should and that their children are not learning well. The school needs to do more to reassure parents, making sure they are better informed, so they fully understand and engage with the school's aims and actions for improvement.

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