Shirley Warren Primary and Nursery School, located in Southampton, Hampshire, underwent an inspection on November 15 and 16, 2022. The overall effectiveness of the school was rated as requiring improvement, with specific areas such as the quality of education, leadership and management, and early years provision also marked as requiring improvement. However, the school demonstrated good performance in behavior and attitudes, as well as personal development.
Pupils at Shirley Warren are encouraged to adopt positive attitudes towards learning, and many express that they feel valued and cared for. The new headteacher has made significant efforts to enhance the emotional well-being of students, which has contributed to improved behavior and a more positive learning environment. Most pupils enjoy their learning experiences, although some feel that they are not always sufficiently challenged. This is attributed to historically low expectations and a narrow curriculum, but changes are underway to address these issues.
The school promotes values of tolerance, respect, and acceptance among pupils, fostering strong relationships between staff and students. Instances of bullying are rare, and when they occur, staff are proactive in helping students resolve conflicts. Health and well-being are prioritized, with pupils learning about balanced diets and hydration, and younger children encouraged to maintain good oral hygiene.
Senior leaders and governors are committed to improving the school and ensuring that all pupils, including those with special educational needs and disabilities, receive a broad and enriching curriculum. An inclusive culture has been established, where the needs of all pupils are recognized and met. However, leaders acknowledge that the quality of education has not been adequate in the past, necessitating further improvements for all pupils to reach their full potential.
While the vision for a broad and ambitious curriculum is in place, its full realization is still pending. In core subjects like English and mathematics, the curriculum is well-structured and coherent from the start of Nursery. For instance, in English, pupils engage with a diverse range of texts to develop their language and comprehension skills. However, the curriculum in many other subjects is still under development, and leaders are actively working to ensure that all subjects are carefully planned from early years through to Year 6.
Some subject leaders are new and may lack the detailed knowledge necessary to effectively support teachers. There is a recognized need for a training program to enhance the skills of all leaders in their respective subjects. Additionally, many teachers require further development in designing tasks that help pupils retain knowledge over time. In some cases, teaching strategies do not effectively connect new knowledge with prior learning, which can hinder pupil progress.
Reading has been prioritized, with a phonics program recently introduced. However, the implementation of this program is inconsistent, leading to some pupils not learning to read as quickly as they should. Most pupils exhibit good behavior, remaining calm and focused during lessons. The new headteacher has successfully implemented a whole-school approach to promoting positive behavior, ensuring that any challenging behavior is managed appropriately.
Pupils appreciate opportunities for curriculum enrichment, such as engaging with professionals from various fields and learning about different cultures and beliefs. The school prepares pupils well for life in modern Britain, fostering an understanding of respect for all individuals. Safeguarding measures are effective, with a strong culture of vigilance established by leaders. Staff are well-informed about safeguarding procedures, and pupils are educated on how to stay safe both online and in their local community. Overall, while there are areas for improvement, the school is making strides towards enhancing the educational experience for its pupils.
