Wembley Primary School, located in Wembley, continues to be recognized as a good school following its inspection on September 18-19, 2019. The school fosters a positive environment where pupils enjoy attending and feel a sense of belonging, often describing it as a large family. The strong relationships among pupils, parents, staff, and leaders contribute to a supportive atmosphere that encourages high expectations for academic achievement. The school celebrates its diversity, with nearly 30 languages spoken, promoting cooperation and respect among students.
Pupils demonstrate good behavior and understand the expectations set by their teachers. They feel safe and confident in approaching adults or peers with any concerns. The school effectively manages drop-off and pick-up times, ensuring a calm and orderly environment. Leaders prioritize early reading, with staff trained in phonics instruction starting from Nursery. This consistent approach helps children develop their reading skills early on, with careful monitoring to prevent any pupil from falling behind.
As pupils progress, the school recognizes the need to enhance their comprehension skills. While teachers are beginning to address this, there is a need for further development in helping pupils understand deeper meanings in texts. The curriculum is designed to be accessible for all students, including those with special educational needs and disabilities, ensuring they achieve strong progress across subjects. The teaching of mathematics is particularly strong, with effective planning that builds on prior knowledge and allows pupils to practice their skills.
However, some subjects within the curriculum require further development. For instance, while the computing curriculum is well-structured, history lacks clarity in how knowledge is built over time. Leaders are aware of these gaps and are taking steps to improve planning and training for staff. Science teaching has seen significant improvements, with pupils engaging in experiments and investigations, although teachers sometimes lack confidence in building on prior knowledge.
Pupils enjoy a variety of extracurricular activities and trips, which enhance their learning experience. The school ensures that all pupils, including those with additional needs, have access to these opportunities. Staff members report high levels of job satisfaction, appreciating the support from leaders regarding their well-being and workload management.
The safeguarding arrangements at Wembley Primary School are effective, with a strong culture of safety. Leaders and governors are committed to ensuring the safety of all pupils, providing staff with up-to-date training on safeguarding practices. Staff are aware of the procedures for reporting concerns, and records are maintained meticulously.
Despite the school's successes, there are areas for improvement. The strong foundation in early reading has not fully translated into strong progress in reading comprehension for older pupils. Teachers need to better utilize texts to develop pupils' inference and deduction skills. Additionally, while improvements have been made in various subjects, not all areas of the curriculum are equally developed. Leaders must ensure that the curriculum is coherently planned and sequenced to enhance pupils' knowledge and understanding over time.
Overall, Wembley Primary School is a good school that provides a supportive and nurturing environment for its pupils. With ongoing efforts to address areas for improvement, the school is well-positioned to continue fostering academic success and personal growth for all its students.
