Upper Wharfedale School, located in Threshfield, Skipton, North Yorkshire, has been recognized for its outstanding performance during the inspection conducted from June 5 to June 6, 2019. The school has demonstrated exceptional effectiveness in leadership and management, quality of teaching, learning and assessment, personal development, behavior and welfare, and outcomes for pupils. The headteacher, along with governors and staff, has fostered a remarkable learning environment that prioritizes effort and ambition for all students. This commitment has resulted in pupils overcoming individual learning barriers and achieving outstanding progress throughout their time at the school.
The curriculum is vibrant and well-designed, catering for the diverse needs of pupils. Teaching methods employed by the staff are effective, utilizing excellent subject knowledge to engage students and challenge them appropriately. Teachers skillfully assess pupils' understanding through questioning, ensuring that learning is deepened. The school has particularly excelled in mathematics, where pupils consistently demonstrate mastery of skills and concepts, leading to excellent progress over time.
Leaders show exceptional care for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities, adapting the curriculum to ensure these students thrive academically and personally. The school maintains a strong culture of safeguarding, with pupils feeling safe and well-cared for. Parents and carers echo this sentiment, highlighting the effectiveness of the school's safeguarding measures.
Pupils exhibit exemplary behavior and attitudes towards learning, characterized by hard work, resilience, and confidence. They are polite, welcoming, and take pride in their school. Disadvantaged pupils also make significant progress, as staff are attentive to their individual needs. However, there are areas for improvement, particularly in consistently addressing grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors in pupils' written work. Additionally, despite good outcomes in French, the uptake of the subject at key stage four remains low.
To further enhance the school's performance, leaders are encouraged to focus on addressing weaknesses in pupils' written communication skills and to promote the study of modern foreign languages more effectively. The leadership team is committed to continuous improvement, actively seeking partnerships with other schools to share best practices and enhance the quality of education provided.
Governance at Upper Wharfedale School is strong, with governors playing an active role in supporting and challenging school leaders. They are well-informed and regularly visit the school to monitor progress. The school is smaller than average, with a lower proportion of disadvantaged pupils and those with special educational needs compared to national averages. Most pupils are of White British heritage, and the school does not have any pupils attending alternative provision.
The inspection team observed lessons across various subjects and year groups, engaging with pupils and reviewing their work to assess progress and attainment. The findings indicate that all groups of pupils make excellent progress from their starting points, with high expectations set for every student. The school’s commitment to providing a broad and rich curriculum, alongside a strong focus on personal development, ensures that pupils are well-prepared for their future endeavors. Overall, Upper Wharfedale School stands out as an exemplary institution, dedicated to fostering a positive and effective learning environment for all its pupils.
