Wilbarston Church of England Primary School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 16 July 2024

Pupils are excited to come to school. They enjoy their lessons because they say teachers make learning 'interesting and fun'. Pupils feel safe. They trust adults to help them if they need it. Pupils describe the school as being part of 'one big family'. The school has high expectations for all pupils to achieve their best. Staff know the pupils very well and make sure that each pupil has what they need to thrive. Pupils benefit from support and encouragement. They appreciate the chance to develop their independence and work with their friends. They are very proud to share their achievements with others. Most pupils try their best and achieve well. This is particularly true for children in the early years. Pupils enjoy exploring outdoors. Some of them organise their own activities, such as the craft and Pokémon clubs. They like taking part in sports competitions and music events. Opportunities for pupils to take on leadership roles are growing. Pupils behave very well and are respectful towards each other and the adults in school. They are considerate of others' views and are polite and welcoming to visitors. Pupils have lots of friends because they are kind and 'everyone knows everyone'.

What the school should improve

• New curriculums in the foundation subjects are well planned. However, teachers do not always ensure that pupils have the prior knowledge they need before learning a new topic in these subjects. Pupils sometimes have gaps in their learning and struggle to make links between important information to help them deepen their understanding. The school needs to ensure that teachers check what pupils know about a topic and take this into account when planning and delivering new learning in the foundation subjects.
• The school is still developing some aspects of the personal development programme. Opportunities for pupils to benefit from enrichment activities are quite limited. Pupils do not have enough chances to learn about the wider world or to broaden their horizons. The school needs to make sure that the curriculum is supported by suitable experiences designed to enhance pupils' learning and their understanding of the world around them.
• The school has an ambitious vision for its pupils and what they can achieve. However, this vision is not realised fully because not everyone is working together towards a common aim. A few parents do not feel that their views are listened to or taken into consideration. The school must create a culture where all stakeholders feel valued and work together collaboratively to fulfil the vision.

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