Willingdon Primary School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 4 June 2024

Pupils are proud of their school and of the work they produce. They know that their own contributions to the school community are valued. They also know that their school has improved in many ways over the last two years. Pupils in key stage 2 talk keenly about how teachers expect much more than they did in the past, while trying to make learning enjoyable at the same time. This is an inclusive school. Pupils are welcoming to newcomers. Those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) do well because staff and pupils alike are considerate of their needs. Pupils who are registered at the school's specially resourced provision for pupils with SEND (specially resourced provision), spend most of their school day in classrooms alongside their peers. Aspirations are equally high for all pupils, no matter what their barriers to learning are. Pupils behave very well here because expectations are high, and the curriculum engages them well. Instances of poor behaviour have reduced significantly. Pupils themselves disapprove of any distractions to their learning. Meanness is frowned on. Classroom visits across the school showed inspectors that pupils now spend a lot of time working together productively, though achieving well as individuals.

What the school should improve

• On occasion, some staff do not implement the school's early reading programme as consistently as they might. When this is the case, the quality of phonics teaching is variable. This means that not all pupils benefit from the highest- quality phonics teaching they require. This is especially the case for pupils who need additional support because they are struggling with reading. Leaders need to ensure that the school's phonics programme is delivered with the highest degree of fidelity possible in all phases of the school and by all staff who teach pupils to read.

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