Wraysbury Primary School, located in Staines, Middlesex, underwent an inspection on February 28 and March 1, 2023. The overall effectiveness of the school was rated as requiring improvement, with specific areas such as the quality of education, behavior and attitudes, and leadership and management also receiving the same rating. However, personal development and early years provision were rated as good. The previous inspection in September 2017 had rated the school as good.
Pupils at Wraysbury Primary School are described as polite and welcoming, enjoying their time at school, particularly during activities like sharing books and participating in sports. They appreciate the school's efforts to promote a healthy lifestyle and engage in charity work, which they discuss with enthusiasm. Many pupils take pride in their leadership roles, such as serving on the school council, where they express their ideas confidently.
While pupils generally exhibit calm behavior, some become distracted during lessons, which can hinder their learning. Although school leaders have high expectations for behavior, these are not consistently met across the school. Staff have built strong relationships with pupils, fostering a welcoming environment for children from diverse cultural backgrounds. Pupils feel safe and know that their concerns will be taken seriously, including instances of bullying.
The school leadership has made efforts to review and adjust the curriculum, but they are still in the early stages of determining what pupils should learn and when. In areas where this planning is complete, pupils demonstrate better retention of knowledge and can connect prior learning to new concepts, particularly in early years education. However, there is a need for improvement in ensuring that all staff are equipped to adapt lessons for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities. Some teachers lack the confidence to identify and address the needs of these pupils, leading to feelings of anxiety among them as they prepare for secondary school.
Leaders are committed to fostering a culture of reading, with staff receiving training to support this goal. Pupils who require additional reading support are provided with carefully planned activities and access to phonetically decodable books. The early years program is well-structured, allowing children to engage in meaningful activities that enhance their vocabulary and learning.
The school promotes values of being ready, respectful, and safe, and pupils can articulate what healthy relationships entail. They are educated about the risks associated with unhealthy choices and how to stay safe online. Opportunities for drama, singing, and various trips enrich the pupils' experiences, and they express their understanding of British values through their involvement in the school council.
Despite the positive aspects, concerns have been raised by parents and pupils regarding the consistency of behavior management in lessons. Some feel that the behavior policy is not applied uniformly, leading to frustrations about how incidents are handled. While leaders acknowledge these issues, their plans for improvement have yet to yield the desired results. However, attendance has improved under their initiatives.
Governors and senior leaders are dedicated to the school and recognize the need for stability following a period of change. They fulfill their responsibilities and challenge the leadership team while being mindful of staff well-being. The safeguarding arrangements at the school are effective, with leaders ensuring that staff are trained to identify signs of abuse and work closely with families to support vulnerable pupils.
In summary, while Wraysbury Primary School has strengths in personal development and early years provision, it faces challenges in behavior management, curriculum sequencing, and support for pupils with special educational needs. Addressing these areas will be crucial for the school to enhance its overall effectiveness and ensure that all pupils receive the support they need to thrive.
