Willoughby Road Primary Academy

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 1 April 2025

The school has high expectations for all pupils to learn well and succeed. The carefully designed curriculum and personal development offer reflects this ambition. Pupils engage respectfully with staff and each other. They listen politely and engage in conversation. Pupils show positive attitudes to learning. They move around the school calmly and sensibly, managing their own behaviour well. The school gives effective help to pupils who need additional support to ensure they feel safe and included in all aspects of school life. The caring and nurturing environment supports pupils well. Pastoral support is a priority. Pupils know staff are there to help. They are encouraged to discuss their feelings. Staff help pupils to manage their emotions. Pupils learn about safety through assemblies and in lessons. The school engages effectively with a range of external services, connecting families with the support that they need. Pupils develop their talents and interests through a wide range of clubs. Educational visits and visitors to school are meaningfully linked to pupils' learning. Pupils contribute to the local community, such as delivering harvest festival donations to the food bank. Pupils understand different religions, value diversity and recognise the importance of equality and respect.

What the school should improve

• Some pupils' understanding of grammar, punctuation, spelling and handwriting is not secure. This means, in some cases, pupils do not build their writing skills progressively over time as well as they could. The school should continue to implement the early writing curriculum so that pupils develop their writing skills and write accurately and fluently across the curriculum.

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