Wheelers Lane Primary School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 6 December 2023

Wheelers Lane Primary School is a warm and welcoming school. The curriculum at Wheelers Lane is ambitious, as leaders have placed considerable emphasis on considering the key knowledge pupils need to learn. Teachers check carefully if pupils have retained this key knowledge and they achieve well, especially in key stage 2. Alongside the curriculum, leaders have placed considerable emphasis on the development of pupils' wider opportunities. There is a very extensive offer for all pupils as part of their 'Wheelers Lane experience'. This includes theme weeks, where the curriculum has a particular focus to further enhance the pupils' learning. Leaders work extensively to ensure all pupils can access these experiences. Pupils very much appreciate these opportunities. Pupils are happy at school thanks to the calm and orderly routines which leaders have established. They understand that difference is something to be celebrated. Leaders have established clear rules and expectations, such that pupils are clear about how they behave and how they should interact with each other. This means the school is a harmonious community.

What the school should improve

• Support for some older pupils who have remaining weaknesses in reading is not as effective as it needs to be. As a result, some of these pupils are not catching up quickly enough and have challenges accessing the curriculum. Leaders should ensure that older pupils are urgently given additional support to improve their reading skills in school and at home.
• In foundation subjects, the use of assessment is less precise. This means that teachers and leaders are less secure on exactly what key knowledge pupils have learned and understood. The school should ensure that assessment processes in foundation subjects enable staff to clearly identify and address any remaining gaps in pupils' knowledge.

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