Prae Wood Primary School, located in St Albans, Hertfordshire, has been recognized for its overall effectiveness as a good school, with outstanding leadership and management. The headteacher's exceptional leadership has fostered a collaborative culture that promotes inclusivity and nurtures pupils' personal, social, and emotional development. The governing body demonstrates a thorough understanding of the school's strengths and challenges, holding leaders accountable for performance. The curriculum is rich and varied, allowing pupils to develop expertise across subjects. Teaching is generally effective, although some teachers need to enhance their ability to challenge pupils' learning promptly. Pupils exhibit exemplary behavior, showing sensitivity to others' needs, and the provision for their spiritual, moral, social, and cultural development is outstanding.
Teachers engage pupils with interesting activities that facilitate good progress in learning. The effective teaching of phonics lays a strong foundation for reading, and pupils develop a love for reading over time. Disadvantaged pupils and those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) make good progress due to targeted support. Early years provision is outstanding, with children making excellent progress and excelling in a well-planned environment. Parents express high levels of support for the school's leadership and the care provided to pupils.
While pupils are making stronger progress in mathematics, some teachers do not provide enough opportunities for pupils to develop their reasoning skills. To improve further, the school should strengthen teaching by sharing best practices and ensuring that all pupils are challenged to achieve higher standards. The school has made significant strides in mathematics, but consistent use of reasoning skills across all year groups is necessary for continued improvement.
The leadership team is resolute in its commitment to providing the best quality of education. Senior leaders have set high expectations for staff and pupils, contributing to the school's improvement. The school has effectively managed its expansion, ensuring that staff are equipped to meet the needs of new pupils. The inclusive environment allows pupils to flourish socially and emotionally, with parents praising the nurturing atmosphere.
Governors play an active role in supporting and challenging school leaders, ensuring they are well-informed about the school's work. They are committed to the school's high ambitions and maintain strong relationships with staff. The school effectively uses additional funding to support disadvantaged pupils, ensuring that barriers to learning are addressed.
Safeguarding arrangements are effective, with a high priority placed on pupil safety. Staff receive regular training to recognize and report any concerns, and the school maintains efficient systems for recording and addressing safeguarding issues. The quality of teaching, learning, and assessment is good, with teachers demonstrating strong subject knowledge and effective questioning techniques. Relationships between pupils and adults are excellent, fostering a secure environment for discussing complex issues.
Pupils are enthusiastic about their learning and take pride in their achievements. They exhibit friendly and polite behavior, with rare incidents of poor behavior reported. Attendance is consistently above the national average, indicating that pupils enjoy school and are eager to participate in their education. Overall, Prae Wood Primary School provides a supportive and effective learning environment, with strong leadership, good teaching, and a commitment to continuous improvement.
