Winsley CoE VC Primary School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 4 June 2024

Pupils know and live out the school values of 'kindness, wisdom and courage'. They are proud of their school and many pupils take an active role in contributing to the school and to the local community and church. Pupils articulate the importance of equity. Pupils are respectful towards one another. At breaktimes, pupils play well together. They make the most of a range of activities. When there are friendship issues, staff are quick to help pupils resolve them. Pupils have many ways to share what worries them. They learn to look after their mental and physical health, for example walking a mile round the field (a 'womble'). As a result, pupils feel well looked after. The school provides a wide range of ways for pupils to lead and contribute to school life. Pupils relish their responsibilities. The pupil librarian encourages others to read and choose books. Pupils work with the artist in residence, or lead music and worship. Children in early years see these roles modelled and volunteer for roles such as 'Head Gardener'. Pupils in each year group sit on the school council. They show the ways they contribute to shaping the school. They feel listened to.

What the school should improve

• The expectations for writing have been raised by the implementation of the writing curriculum. However, this is not emulated in some parts of the wider curriculum. This means pupils do not deepen their writing skills through these subjects. The school and the trust need to ensure that pupils develop their writing coherently across the curriculum.
• In a few foundation subjects, the curriculum does not help some pupils to retain their learning well. As a result, they do not remember their work over time. The school and the trust need to make sure pupils revisit their learning in ways that help them to recall more of the knowledge set out in the curriculum.

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