Woodham Walter Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school As a result of good leadership, the school has made significant improvements since its previous inspection. This is evident in the clear three-year upward trend in key stage 2 results. The headteacher leads the school with passion and the determination to provide a well-rounded education for all.

Strong values underpin the education pupils receive. Governors are very knowledgeable about the school. They support school leaders and challenge them to do better in equal measure.

Most pupils, including disadvantaged pupils and those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), make good progress in their learning because they are... taught and supported well. Reading is particularly strong across the school because the school has a well-structured approach to teaching phonics and ensuring that pupils read increasingly challenging books. Children in early years benefit from a rich and vibrant environment and skilled teaching.

They are very well prepared for Year 1. Teaching assistants are well trained and make a strong contribution to pupils' learning. Teachers have high expectations of pupils, and usually set work that provides a good level of challenge and makes pupils think more deeply.

Occasionally, work is a little hard for pupils because complex ideas have not been broken down enough for pupils to understand easily. The school takes very good care of pupils while also teaching them how to look after themselves and to keep safe. Pupils have a strong understanding of their own learning.

They are independent and resilient. Pupils are exceptionally well prepared for their next stage of education. A broad curriculum is enriched through, for example, outdoor learning, extra-curricular clubs, and science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) work.

Many subjects are planned well, including English, mathematics and physical education (PE). However, the depth of the curriculum is not consistently well developed in all subjects. School leaders are working well in partnership with other schools locally, including to develop the curriculum further and ensure that learning is well sequenced across all subjects.

Information about this school

The school is much smaller in size compared with other primary schools nationally. The proportion of pupils supported by the pupil premium has been increasing and is now broadly in line with the national average. Most pupils are White British.

The school has a small number of pupils from minority ethnic backgrounds, including a few from the Gypsy Roma community. None speaks English as an additional language. The proportion of pupils with SEND is in line with the national average.

A broadly average proportion have an education, health and care plan. The school is designated as a voluntary-controlled Church of England school. Its last section 48 inspection was in February 2017.

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