Woodsetton School, located in Dudley, West Midlands, has received a positive inspection report, highlighting its overall effectiveness as good. The inspection took place on 10 and 11 October 2023, and the school has maintained its good rating since the previous inspection in December 2021. The school caters to pupils with moderate learning difficulties and has a total enrollment of 111 students aged between four and eleven years.
Pupils at Woodsetton School are described as happy and well cared for, with staff demonstrating a strong understanding of their needs. This supportive environment fosters confidence among students, encouraging them to embrace new challenges. The school emphasizes life skills education, teaching pupils essential skills such as cooking, shopping, and road safety, which contribute to their independence.
Behaviour management is a key focus, with pupils learning to identify their feelings and seek help when needed. Staff are adept at recognizing signs that a pupil may require additional support, ensuring that the school remains a calm and positive learning environment. The school has implemented a new curriculum designed to meet the diverse needs of its pupils, although there are areas that require further development to ensure all students achieve their full potential.
The staff's understanding of their pupils is commendable, and they collaborate effectively with parents to maintain consistent behaviour and communication strategies both at school and home. This partnership aids in the smooth transition of pupils into the school environment, promoting hard work and engagement.
While the new curriculum has been largely successful, there are still some subjects where the learning objectives are not clearly defined, which can hinder the logical progression of knowledge over time. Teachers may not always have clarity on what to teach, leading to less focused learning activities. The school is actively working to ensure that all pupils have access to the necessary communication strategies and aids, although consistency in their implementation remains a challenge.
Reading is a priority at Woodsetton School, with early years pupils learning phonics from their first day. However, the delivery of the phonics curriculum has been inconsistent, which may affect the speed at which some pupils learn to read fluently. The school provides a wide range of reading materials, and pupils enjoy using the library and selecting books from their classrooms.
Pupils are also taught about safety, cultural diversity, and community involvement. They participate in school council activities, allowing them to voice their opinions on matters that affect them, such as menu choices and playground equipment. This involvement prepares them for future responsibilities and community engagement.
The school has made significant changes under the leadership of the headteacher, who also serves as the executive headteacher of another special school. Governors are committed to the school's success and monitor its progress closely, ensuring that the school is on track to meet its goals.
The safeguarding arrangements at Woodsetton School are effective, providing a safe environment for all pupils. However, there are areas identified for improvement, particularly in the consistency of communication strategies and the planning of the curriculum to ensure that knowledge builds cumulatively. The school is encouraged to provide comprehensive training for staff to enhance the delivery of the phonics curriculum, ensuring that all pupils make the best possible progress in their reading skills. Overall, Woodsetton School is a supportive and nurturing environment that prioritizes the well-being and development of its pupils while striving for continuous improvement in educational outcomes.
