South Wellfield First School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Main findings

This is a good school in which pupils are extremely well cared for, supported and looked after. At the centre of the school's continued good progress is the clear vision and ambition of the headteacher, ably supported by a knowledgeable governing body and a committed team of staff. Parents are overwhelmingly supportive and appreciate the high quality of care and enjoyment the school provides.

The comment, 'I have every faith in the school and feel confident that they are meeting my child's needs and supporting him fully', illustrates the views of almost all parents. Most children enter Nursery with skills broadly typical for their age but sometimes with weaknesses in speech and language. By the end of... Year 4, attainment is above average overall, with high attainment in mathematics.

This represents good progress. The school data, supported by inspection evidence, show that writing skills are much improved as a result of the initiatives taken, although higher level skills are less well developed among those more-able pupils. Pupils' achievement is good because teaching is rarely less than good.

However, opportunities are occasionally missed to make learning even more demanding, for example by using fresh approaches to enliven learning in order to boost achievement. Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities make good progress because their needs are accurately identified and intervention and support well targeted. Pupils' enjoyment of learning is evident in their regular, above average, attendance.

They feel safe and demonstrate an excellent appreciation of how to stay fit and healthy. They behave well, show respect for each other and display a good understanding of right and wrong. Good opportunities are provided for the pupils to find out about their local and wider community, but first-hand experiences of the diversity that exists in the world are limited.

Senior leaders' demonstrate an unmistakable drive to achieve their ambitions and secure ongoing improvement. Action to eliminate small pockets of underachievement is having a positive impact on raising attainment. The recent appointment of a deputy headteacher has strengthened leadership and management.

Rigorous approaches to check and measure pupils' achievements are in place and these are informing strategic planning well. The governing body provides much expertise and regularly holds the school to account for all that it does. Its expertise is reflected in the school's high quality of safeguarding practice.

Consequently, the school has a good and strengthening capacity for continuing improvement.

Information about the school

South Wellfield is a larger-than-average first school serving the surrounding estate and nearby communities. Almost all pupils are of a White British heritage and very few pupils speak English as an additional language.

The percentage known to be eligible for a free school meal is well below average. A lower-than-average number of pupils have special educational needs and/or disabilities. The proportion of pupils with a statement of special educational needs is half the national average.

The on-site childcare provision, School's Out (Northern) Ltd, is subject to a separate inspection and will receive its own inspection report. The school has been awarded the Healthy Schools, Eco School and Activemark awards. A new deputy headteacher was appointed in September 2010.