West Felton CofE Primary School, located in Oswestry, Shropshire, has been rated as good in its recent inspection conducted on July 5 and 6, 2022. The school provides a positive environment where pupils enjoy their education and demonstrate enthusiasm for their lessons. The curriculum is comprehensive, covering a wide range of subjects that are accessible to all students. Leaders maintain high expectations, particularly in reading, which has resulted in pupils becoming fluent readers. The school promotes reading engagement through initiatives such as weekly visits from a reading dog named Oakley.
Pupils exhibit consistently positive attitudes towards their behavior and learning, aligning with the school’s core values of kindness, aspiration, community, and dignity. They are encouraged to take on various responsibilities, such as worship leaders and ambassadors, fostering a sense of community involvement. The school emphasizes the importance of listening to and respecting the views of others, contributing to a supportive atmosphere.
Safety is a priority at West Felton, with pupils learning to keep themselves safe through a robust personal, social, health, and economic education program. Surveys indicate that incidents of bullying are rare, and pupils feel confident in approaching adults with any concerns. The school’s leadership has successfully implemented an ambitious curriculum that outlines clear learning objectives and assessment methods. While progress has been made in subjects like English and mathematics, some areas, such as design and technology, require further development in assessing pupils’ learning.
The school has established meaningful local connections that enhance the curriculum, such as engaging activities in early years education. The phonics program is effective, enabling pupils to read fluently from an early age, with well-matched books to support their learning. In mathematics, the curriculum allows for revisiting themes and practicing skills, contributing to rapid gains in understanding.
However, challenges remain, particularly in ensuring that all pupils in split year groups receive consistent curriculum experiences. Leaders are aware of these gaps and are working to address them by setting shared learning objectives. The school has also adapted its curriculum to support pupils with special educational needs and disabilities, ensuring they can fully engage in their learning.
Pupils demonstrate high standards of behavior and understand the consequences of poor conduct. They attend school regularly and participate in various sporting opportunities, promoting their physical health. The school’s leadership is mindful of staff workload, which has been positively received by the teaching staff. Governors are well-informed about the school’s strengths and areas for improvement, actively engaging in discussions about the school’s development.
The safeguarding arrangements are effective, with staff trained to identify risks and provide early help when necessary. Pupils are educated on safety, including online safety and reporting harassment. While the school has resumed some extracurricular activities post-pandemic, there is a need to enhance opportunities for learning musical instruments, which have been limited since the pandemic began. Overall, West Felton CofE Primary School provides a supportive and engaging educational environment, with clear areas identified for further improvement to ensure all pupils receive a comprehensive and enriching education.
