Woodmansterne School, located in Streatham, London, has been recognized for its overall effectiveness as a good school following an inspection in May 2019. The leadership and management of the school are deemed good, with the executive headteacher and senior leaders demonstrating a clear vision for providing high-quality education. They are committed to achieving excellence and are supported effectively by passionate governors who understand the school’s community ethos. The school has shown strong performance in phonics instruction, with Year 1 pupils consistently achieving above-average results in the phonics screening check over the past three years.
The early years provision at Woodmansterne is outstanding, with children making significant progress from their starting points due to excellent teaching. The quality of teaching and learning across both primary and secondary phases is good, with teachers employing consistent strategies that promote strong pupil progress. However, there are concerns regarding the progress of lower-attaining and disadvantaged pupils, which is not as robust as that of their peers.
Pupils’ behavior is outstanding, reflecting a positive school culture where care, guidance, and support are prioritized. This environment fosters responsible citizenship among students. Pupils with special educational needs and disabilities receive effective support, enabling them to make good progress. The school promotes high levels of motivation and excitement for learning, with pupils demonstrating excellent attitudes and high attendance rates.
While the roles of some middle leaders are still developing, the school has a broad and balanced curriculum that equips pupils with essential literacy and numeracy skills for their future education. The school’s efforts to promote pupils’ spiritual, moral, social, and cultural development, along with an appreciation of British values, are well established. Parents and carers express high levels of satisfaction with the school’s contributions to their children’s education.
To further improve, the school aims to ensure that all pupils, particularly those who are disadvantaged or lower-attaining, are adequately challenged and supported to reach their full potential. Additionally, there is a focus on developing middle leaders to enhance their impact on pupil outcomes.
The effectiveness of leadership and management is reflected in the cohesive teamwork among leaders at all levels, who are ambitious for the school and its community. Although the impact of their work is not yet fully embedded across all areas, the enthusiasm of middle leaders and their collaboration across phases contribute positively to the school’s development. Staff feel supported and valued, benefiting from professional development opportunities that enhance their teaching skills.
The curriculum is broad and balanced, with a focus on various subjects that engage pupils. The school promotes British values and prepares pupils for life in modern Britain through various activities and community engagement. The leadership of special educational needs is strong, ensuring that pupils with SEND make good progress. The use of pupil premium funding is effective in supporting disadvantaged pupils, although their progress still requires attention to match that of their peers.
Overall, Woodmansterne School is a good educational institution with outstanding features, particularly in early years provision and pupil behavior. The school is committed to continuous improvement and ensuring that all pupils achieve their best in a supportive and nurturing environment.
