The Martin Wilson School in Shrewsbury underwent an inspection on January 11 and 12, 2023, resulting in an overall effectiveness rating of Requires Improvement. The quality of education was also rated as Requires Improvement, while behaviour and attitudes, as well as personal development, were rated as Good. Leadership and management, along with early years provision, were similarly rated as Requires Improvement. This inspection marked a decline from the previous inspection in October 2021, where the school was rated as Good.
Pupils at the school express enjoyment in their educational experience and feel safe within the environment. The school’s motto emphasizes the importance of every individual, fostering positive relationships between pupils and staff. Parents and carers have reported satisfaction with their children's happiness and safety at school. The leadership has made efforts to enhance pastoral and emotional support by investing in additional staff. Furthermore, the school actively engages with the local community through various initiatives.
In terms of behaviour, pupils demonstrate politeness and respect towards visitors and each other, contributing to a calm atmosphere that minimizes disruptions during lessons. Although instances of bullying have decreased, pupils are aware of whom to approach for support if issues arise. The reintroduction of after-school activities has been positively received, and pupils appreciate the opportunities available to them.
Despite the positive aspects, the school faces challenges in its curriculum, particularly in subjects outside of mathematics and English. While improvements have been made in these core subjects, the curriculum in other areas lacks clear sequencing, which hampers pupils' ability to build on prior knowledge. This deficiency affects their retention of information and overall achievement. Assessment strategies are not consistently effective in identifying gaps in learning, leading to insufficient support for pupils who need to catch up.
In early years education, children engage well with adults and exhibit positive behaviour. However, the curriculum does not clearly outline essential learning expectations, resulting in missed opportunities for deeper learning. Consequently, children do not achieve to their full potential.
The school provides a range of personal development opportunities, including after-school clubs and extensive pastoral support aimed at fostering resilience and emotional management. However, the leadership does not consistently monitor the quality of education across various subjects, leading to a lack of clarity regarding the overall effectiveness of the school. This gap in oversight affects the ability of leaders to accurately report on the school's performance to governors, who, while supportive, do not challenge leaders effectively to drive improvements.
Safeguarding measures are in place and deemed effective, with staff trained to recognize and respond to potential risks to pupils. The governing body is involved in safeguarding training and ensures that appropriate checks are conducted for staff suitability.
To improve, the school must focus on better sequencing of the curriculum to ensure that pupils' learning builds effectively over time. Identifying and addressing misconceptions in pupils' understanding is crucial for enhancing achievement. Additionally, staff training in early reading instruction is necessary to support pupils in becoming confident readers. Overall, while the school has strengths in certain areas, significant improvements are needed to enhance the quality of education and support for all pupils.
