Westbrook Lane Primary School, located in Horsforth, Leeds, was inspected on November 3 and 4, 2021, and received an overall effectiveness rating of good. The school has a strong reputation for fostering positive relationships between pupils and staff, creating a caring environment where students feel safe and valued. The leadership team encourages parental involvement, and parents appreciate the commitment and enthusiasm of the teachers. The school has a dedicated special educational needs coordinator who supports teachers in providing appropriate assistance for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities.
Pupils exhibit good behavior in lessons and during breaks, with instances of bullying being rare and addressed promptly by staff. The school promotes an understanding of diversity, and pupils are taught the importance of valuing everyone equally. The curriculum is continually reviewed and updated based on recent research, with leaders introducing new schemes of work to enhance the existing curriculum. While subjects like mathematics and geography are well-established, some areas require further development to ensure all pupils are adequately challenged.
In mathematics and early reading, regular assessments are utilized to tailor lessons to meet the needs of all pupils. However, a small number of pupils find the curriculum insufficiently challenging, leading to disengagement. Leaders are aware of this issue and are working to improve the curriculum's sequencing. The early years provision is strong, with children in Reception settling quickly and engaging in well-planned learning opportunities that build on their interests. The phonics program is effective, with most pupils reading books that align with their phonetic knowledge.
The school excels in personal development, providing pupils with opportunities to discuss current events and concepts such as democracy and equality. Pupils demonstrate a solid understanding of various cultures and religions, as well as the protected characteristics. The support for pupils with special educational needs is commendable, with parents expressing satisfaction with the assistance they receive in navigating the SEND system.
Staff members feel valued and supported by senior leaders, who prioritize their well-being and consider workload when implementing new initiatives. Communication between the school and parents is generally good, although some parents desire more proactive responses to their concerns. Governors play an active role in holding leaders accountable and ensuring that policies reflect the diverse community.
The safeguarding arrangements at the school are effective, with robust procedures in place to identify and support pupils at risk of harm. The designated safeguarding leader works closely with partners to ensure timely follow-up on concerns. The PSHE curriculum effectively teaches pupils about positive and negative relationships.
To improve, the school needs to enhance assessment practices in foundation subjects, ensuring that planning builds systematically on pupils' prior knowledge. Additionally, the curriculum content and vocabulary in some subjects should be clearly established from the outset to ensure pupils acquire the necessary knowledge to excel. Finally, governors should strengthen their understanding of recent curriculum developments to challenge leaders more effectively. Overall, Westbrook Lane Primary School demonstrates a commitment to providing a high-quality education and fostering a supportive learning environment for all pupils.
