Whitelands Park Primary School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 11 October 2022

Pupils are proud of attending Whitelands Park. Staff know pupils and their families really well. They keep pupils safe and well cared for. Pupils love coming to this school and enjoy their friendships. Staff and pupils get on extremely well and treat each other with kindness and respect. Leaders have high aspirations for pupils. They want every pupil to be ambitious for themselves and to broaden their horizons. Children in early years get off to the strong start they need. For example, they quickly learn how to work and play well together. Leaders ensure that pupils' behaviour is managed consistently and fairly across the school. In lessons and around the school site, pupils try hard to make the right choices. If bullying happens, it is dealt with effectively. Pupils work hard and focus on their learning. Leaders are keen for pupils to learn about life beyond their community, for example by visiting the seaside or Windsor Castle. They are mindful of cost not being a barrier to participation and trips are closely linked to the curriculum. Parents also value the thoughtful enrichment activities on offer. These include a variety of clubs that allow pupils to develop their talents and wider interests. These also support their cultural and social development well.

What the school should improve

• Leaders' curriculum thinking in the writing, speaking and listening elements of the English curriculum is not clear enough. Pupils are not consistently building knowledge and skills logically, in a precise sequence. This means that pupils do not always achieve as well as they could. Leaders need to continue their work to make sure that these aspects of English are planned and implemented to the high standards evident in mathematics, reading and music so that pupils receive a quality education consistent across all subject areas.
• Although teachers understand the needs of pupils with SEND, they are not always reflected precisely enough in pupils' learning targets. Consequently, help for pupils during lessons or interventions is not always updated and matched well enough to help them make rapid progress with their learning. Leaders should ensure that all staff clearly understand pupils' learning needs, update the plans and use agreed support strategies consistently well during lessons.

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