Whittington Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School is located in Oswestry, Shropshire, and serves pupils aged five to eleven. The school has recently undergone an inspection, which took place on the first and second of October 2024. The overall assessment of the school is good across all key areas, including the quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and early years provision. The school is recognized for its strong community values, which emphasize love, honesty, courage, quality, and community. Staff members are nurturing and maintain positive relationships with pupils, contributing to a happy school environment.
The school has established high expectations for pupil behaviour, which are consistently upheld by the staff. Pupils report feeling safe and know whom to approach if they have concerns. The school is dedicated to broadening opportunities for all students, offering a variety of extracurricular activities such as cookery club, debating, and chess. Additionally, pupils in Year 4 and Year 6 participate in residential trips to outdoor activity centres, and they enjoy annual visits to the seaside and the theatre. Outdoor woodland learning is particularly popular among pupils, enhancing their educational experience.
In recent years, the school has focused on improving standards in reading and writing, addressing previous shortcomings. The curriculum has been redesigned, and ambitious targets have been set for pupils. As a result, there has been a noticeable improvement in pupils' achievements in these areas. The mathematics curriculum is well-structured and tailored to meet the needs of all learners, fostering increased confidence in number and problem-solving skills.
Staff members are well-trained and effectively deliver the curriculum content. They ensure that essential material is revisited regularly, aiding retention of knowledge. Accurate assessments of pupil learning are conducted, and any mistakes are promptly addressed. The school implements a phonics programme with fidelity, enabling pupils to learn to read quickly and effectively. New reading materials are well-matched to pupils' abilities, fostering confidence and fluency in reading.
The early years curriculum has been recently reviewed to better prepare children for Year 1, with a focus on reading and number fluency. Staff have recognized the need for increased physical development opportunities and have allocated more time to this area, resulting in improved physical skills among pupils.
The school is committed to inclusion, with effective identification and support for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities. Staff work closely with parents and external agencies to ensure that these pupils achieve their potential. The school has systems in place to promote attendance, although some pupils still miss significant amounts of school, impacting their achievement.
Extra-curricular activities and educational visits are plentiful, and pupils take pride in representing the school in various sporting competitions. The school promotes a culture of respect and safety, with clear rules that pupils understand and follow. Staff express strong support for school leadership, appreciating the management of their workload and well-being.
Governors are supportive but need to enhance their accountability regarding the quality of the curriculum and pupil achievement. The safeguarding arrangements in place are effective, ensuring a safe environment for all pupils. Overall, the school demonstrates a commitment to continuous improvement and the well-being of its pupils, fostering a positive learning environment.
