Woodhouse Primary School, located in Brighouse, West Yorkshire, was inspected on June 17 and 18, 2021. The overall effectiveness of the school was rated as good, maintaining a high standard of education. The quality of education, behavior and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and early years provision were all rated as good. The school had previously received an outstanding grade in its last inspection in November 2006, and this was the first routine inspection since then due to the exemption status for outstanding schools.
The leadership team is dedicated to providing a high-quality education and fostering the development of well-rounded individuals. A diverse curriculum is offered, including swimming lessons in the school's own pool. Pupils appreciate the responsibilities they hold, such as being problem-solvers or web sheriffs, and they take pride in these roles. The school environment is positive, with pupils expressing enjoyment in attending school and valuing the support from their teachers. Attendance rates are high, reflecting the positive atmosphere.
Staff maintain high expectations for pupil behavior, and their supportive interactions encourage students to engage actively in lessons. Pupils demonstrate positive attitudes towards learning and report that bullying is rare, attributing this to the school's emphasis on acceptance and trust in adults to resolve issues. Reading is prioritized, and pupils express enthusiasm for it, particularly through initiatives like the 50 book challenge. However, some pupils who struggle with reading do not receive sufficient practice to catch up effectively.
Following the reopening of schools in March 2021, the curriculum was fully reintroduced, with leaders focusing on recovery from the pandemic's impact. The curriculum is ambitious and inclusive, catering for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities. Subject leaders have been developing curriculum plans to ensure that knowledge and skills are sequenced effectively throughout a pupil's time at the school. As a result, pupils achieve well across various subjects, preparing them for future learning stages.
Reading is a focal point for the school, evident in classroom displays and the quality of texts used in the curriculum. A consistent phonics teaching approach is in place, but there are challenges in its implementation due to a lack of expertise among staff. Some early reading materials do not align with pupils' phonics knowledge, leading to reliance on guessing strategies. This affects the progress of struggling readers, including those with special educational needs.
The school promotes personal development through various initiatives, fostering a caring and supportive environment. Established routines contribute to a calm learning atmosphere, and positive relationships between staff and pupils are evident. Staff morale is high, with a strong sense of teamwork and collaboration.
Safeguarding arrangements are effective, with a strong culture embedded within the school. Staff receive regular training to recognize warning signs and raise concerns. The curriculum includes risk management education, and external agencies support online safety awareness.
To improve, the school needs to enhance staff expertise in phonics teaching to ensure effective learning for all pupils, particularly those struggling with reading. Leaders should ensure that teaching approaches provide rigorous practice and that reading materials are appropriately matched to pupils' phonics knowledge. Overall, Woodhouse Primary School demonstrates a commitment to providing a good quality of education while recognizing areas for further development.
