Windwhistle Primary School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 23 June 2026

The school has come out of a prolonged period of turbulence that resulted in pupils not receiving an acceptable standard of education. This means that too many pupils left school without being ready for the next stage of their education. However, changes to leadership have led to improved standards across the school. This is not reflected in published outcomes. School and trust leaders have a clear understanding of what their next steps are. They are committed to raising standards. Leaders and staff are ambitious for their community. Staff recognise the critical importance of building positive relationships with parents and carers to support the school in understanding the needs of pupils. This approach has resulted in an increase in the frequency of pupils attending school, although leaders acknowledge that rates of attendance should be higher. Pupils at the school are safe. They know that staff will support them if they have any concerns. Behaviour in the school is improving and classes are generally calm. Pupils engage positively in their learning. Most pupils respond quickly to instructions from teachers. However, leaders acknowledge that further work is needed to reduce the use of suspensions. Pupils are proud of their school. They are kind and polite to one another and enjoy sharing what they have learned with visitors. Parents and carers are highly supportive of the school. They say their children are happy and enjoy coming to Windwhistle primary school.

What the school should improve

• Leaders should ensure that they accurately identify the specific barriers to learning faced by pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), and those who are disadvantaged so that support is precisely matched to need, enabling pupils with SEND and those who are disadvantaged to achieve well.
• Leaders should continue to improve pupils’ achievement so that all pupils consistently reach the standards they are capable of and attain well in national tests.
• Leaders should ensure that staff have the necessary skills and expertise to deliver the curriculum effectively. This includes ensuring that staff in key stage 2 are confident in supporting and reinforcing the school’s phonics programme, so that pupils continue to develop the knowledge and skills they need.
• Leaders should continue to develop and strengthen pupils' oracy across all aspects of the curriculum and all year groups so that pupils communicate and achieve well.
• Leaders should continue to improve pupils’ behaviour and ensure that the number of suspensions reduce further.
• Leaders should ensure that a coherent and appropriate programme of personal development extends across the taught curriculum combined with wider enrichment opportunities and experiences, so that all pupils, including those who are disadvantaged, are well prepared for their future lives.

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