Wroxall Primary School, located on the Isle of Wight, underwent an inspection on November 29 and 30, 2022, resulting in an overall effectiveness rating of Requires Improvement. The quality of education was also rated as Requires Improvement, while behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and early years provision received a Good rating. The school has a history of challenges, including a high turnover of staff and a prolonged unsettled period prior to the current headteacher's appointment in September 2020. The headteacher has garnered support from staff, who appreciate the consideration given to their well-being and workload.
Pupils at Wroxall Primary School are familiar with the school’s CARE values, which emphasize challenge, achievement, resilience, and enjoyment. These values are integrated into daily school life, and pupils generally exhibit good behaviour, adhering to the school rules. The school environment is described as safe, with pupils feeling confident that adults will address any concerns regarding friendships or bullying. The school offers a variety of enriching experiences, including trips and outdoor learning activities, which pupils eagerly anticipate.
Despite the positive aspects, the school faces challenges in academic achievement. Leaders have developed a broad and interesting curriculum; however, it lacks effective sequencing, which hampers pupils' ability to retain previously learned material. Reading is a priority, and while early years pupils are making progress, many older pupils struggle with reading fluency due to gaps in their learning from previous years. The implementation of a new phonics program has been slow, resulting in a significant number of pupils not achieving the expected reading levels.
In the early years, the curriculum is designed to foster language development, and leaders are aware of the knowledge children need to acquire. However, the curriculum for key stages one and two does not build effectively on early learning, leading to gaps in knowledge as pupils progress. The special educational needs coordinator has systems in place to identify and support pupils with barriers to learning, but many of these pupils are not making sufficient progress.
Classrooms at Wroxall Primary School are described as calm and purposeful, with pupils eager to learn. The headteacher's focus on improving behaviour has resulted in a positive atmosphere, and staff maintain high expectations for pupil conduct. Relationships between staff and pupils are strong, contributing to a happy school environment.
The school is committed to personal development, encouraging pupils to have high aspirations and understand the importance of healthy relationships and well-being. Initiatives such as a careers day help broaden pupils' horizons and inform them about future opportunities. Safeguarding measures are effective, with staff well-trained to recognize and address concerns, ensuring a strong culture of safety within the school.
To improve, the school must expedite the implementation of the phonics program and ensure that effective interventions are in place to support reading development. Leaders need to clearly define the key knowledge and skills pupils should acquire across all subjects to enhance learning continuity. Overall, while Wroxall Primary School is making progress, there are significant areas that require attention to ensure all pupils achieve their full potential.
