Woodland Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is an outstanding school.

The ambitious vision and inspirational leadership of the headteacher have transformed the school since the previous inspection. She is enthusiastically supported by highly skilled, dedicated staff and governors to continue to improve the school at a rapid rate. Children get off to a flying start in the Reception class because their learning is so well organised.

They quickly become confident, independent learners who work hard to find out things for themselves. Pupils make excellent progress regardless of their starting points, because they are eager to learn and to please their teachers. Pupils' achievement is particularly high ...in reading and writing.

Achievement in mathematics is quickly catching up because : of the school's actions to improve pupils' mental skills to calculate rapidly and accurately. The school recognises that more opportunities to use written methods in mathematics are needed so that pupils are able to demonstrate their increasing ability to perform complex number tasks. Teaching is outstanding.

All teachers and teaching assistants work at a very high level to meet the needs of every child. They manage the different learning needs of pupils in mixed-age classes exceptionally well. They constantly check how well each pupil is learning so that they can set the right level of difficulty for the next step to improve.

The creative curriculum abounds in exciting, memorable opportunities for learning. Pupils' interests and enthusiasm for learning are at the heart of teachers' planning. Pupils are constantly reinforcing and improving their basic skills, acquiring excellent decision-making skills and developing a real passion for learning, as one child said, 'about everything'.

Pupils' behaviour is exemplary. They show consideration and respect for each other from the earliest age. They work hard in lessons because learning is so much fun.

Younger pupils are extremely well cared for at playtimes by older pupils, who eagerly take on these responsibilities. Pupils say they feel safe in school. Excellent pastoral care from all staff creates a warm, safe environment where strong relationships flourish.

This small school offers an enormous range of opportunities for all pupils to develop personally, socially and academically.

Information about this school

The school is much smaller than the average-sized primary school. The proportion of pupils known to be eligible for the pupil premium, which provides additional government funding for children in the care of the local authority, children from armed forces families, and children known to be eligible for free school meals, is below average.

All pupils are from White British heritage, and none speaks English as an additional language. The proportion of disabled pupils and those with special educational needs who are supported at school action is below average. The proportion supported at school action plus or with a statement of special educational needs is average.

The school meets the government floor standards which set out minimum expectations for attainment and progress. The school does not use any alternative provision involving off-site education for pupils. Since the previous inspection a new headteacher has been appointed.