West Town Primary Academy

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 14 December 2022

Pupils learn all about the habits of work, ethics and learning. They know these as their 'HOWELs' and say they enable you to 'get smart', 'try hard' and 'be kind'. Pupils treat each other with respect and are accepting of difference. Bullying is rare. Pupils say staff follow things up if they do ever have a worry or concern. This helps ensure pupils feel happy and safe. Pupils experience an interesting curriculum, where trips and experiences help bring their learning alive. For example, in history, they visit a castle as part of learning about the Battle of Hastings. There are high expectations for everyone to achieve well. Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are supported to successfully access the same curriculum as their peers. There is a 'warm but strict' approach to dealing with behaviour. Pupils follow very clear expectations. Staff take a restorative approach to sort out any issues that occur. Pupils enjoy participating in a range of activities, from dance showcases to cricket competitions. These opportunities are equally open to all.

What the school should improve

• A minority of pupils have not had precise enough support to close gaps in their ability to decode and blend words. This is because some adults have not had the training they need to provide this support well enough. As a result, a minority of pupils do not read with the fluency they should. Leaders need to ensure that all staff are appropriately trained in providing precisely targeted support to close any gaps in pupils' ability to decode and blend words, so that they can read with age-appropriate fluency.

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