Whitehill Primary School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 27 February 2024

This inclusive school strives for pupils to be harmonious, autonomous, noble, determined and spirited. Since the last inspection, behaviour has improved. Previously, pupils were worried about behaviour outside, but playtimes are now happier and safer. Pupils trust staff to help them resolve any worries. When pupils need help to manage their emotions, pastoral support is compassionate and effective. Well-planned assemblies and community events enrich pupils' personal development. Highlights include visits from the police community support officer, a pupil-led assembly about neurodiversity, and charity cake sales and fashion shows. Personal, social, health and economic education (PSHE) lessons help pupils to be safe and responsible citizens. Early years continues to offer children a happy and successful start, with high expectations, care and support across both Nursery and Reception. However, as pupils move through the school, achievement remains low. Before the current leaders joined the school, the curriculum had been narrowed. All subjects are now planned and taught, but with mixed success. Standards do not reflect consistently high expectations. Leaders, governors and trustees have ensured that support for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) is more effective. However, they have not identified and addressed inconsistencies in teaching and assessment. These weaknesses continue to prevent pupils from achieving well.

What the school should improve

• The school has not identified precise knowledge for pupils to learn in all subjects. As a result, lessons do not consistently ensure that pupils learn and remember essential content. The school needs to identify key knowledge more precisely and ensure the activities that pupils complete help them to learn and remember it successfully.
• Staff do not consistently identify pupils' mistakes or misconceptions. As a result, pupils do not know how well they are doing, and mistakes are not addressed. The school must ensure that knowledge gaps are identified and addressed swiftly, to help pupils achieve more highly across the curriculum.
• Stakeholder engagement remains a challenge. The school has not yet ensured that all parents and staff feel positive about the school. The school must redouble their efforts with communication and engagement to ensure that all stakeholders feel better supported and informed.

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