Wherwell Primary School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 11 May 2023

There is a strong sense of community at Wherwell Primary School. Pupils and parents like coming to this friendly school. The school's ethos of 'Care, Respect, Responsibility and Resilience' helps pupils to feel valued and secure. One pupil, reflecting the thoughts of others, commented, 'I know I can trust the staff.' Pupils behave well in class and focus on their learning. Expectations of their behaviour are high, clear and easy to understand. Teachers and support staff demonstrate these expectations and help pupils to meet them. If there is any bullying, leaders deal with it promptly and effectively. Staff have high aspirations of what pupils can do, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Pupils rise to the challenge and achieve. This is because leaders have thought carefully about what they want pupils to learn in different subjects. Pupils benefit from a wide range of opportunities. Pupils relish leadership roles, such as writing for the parish magazine and being part of the 'Green Team'. As part of this team pupils help everyone play a part in looking after the environment. Pupils attend and benefit from a range of sporting and craft clubs, including dance and pottery.

What the school should improve

• In a small number of subjects, leaders have not identified the precise knowledge pupils should be learning and when. This means pupils do not gain the depth of knowledge and understanding that they should. Leaders should continue their ongoing curriculum improvements in the subjects that need further improvements.
• Not all teachers have sufficient subject-specific knowledge and expertise in some subjects. As a result, pupils do not learn and remember as much as they could across the curriculum. Leaders need to identify where teachers needed additional support and training to support their implementation of the curriculum.

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