Walsingham CE VA Primary School, located in Norfolk, underwent an inspection on March 13 and 14, 2024. The overall effectiveness of the school was rated as requiring improvement, with the quality of education also falling into the same category. However, the school demonstrated good performance in areas such as behavior and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and early years provision.
Pupils at Walsingham CE VA Primary School enjoy attending their local school, which boasts high attendance rates. The mixed-age classes foster strong relationships among pupils, who also connect well with the adults in the school. The school offers a variety of exciting activities, including overnight residential trips, which pupils enthusiastically discuss. Popular outings include visits to the seaside and Cromer Zoo.
The curriculum is designed to be ambitious and build on prior learning, but not all pupils benefit from this approach. There are instances where pupils do not receive work that aligns with their existing knowledge, hindering their development as confident readers. In the Reception class, children engage in various activities that promote skill development, such as singing counting songs and using measuring scales to explore weight.
The curriculum aligns with the national standards and is tailored to meet the needs of pupils in mixed-age classes. Teachers deliver new information clearly and adapt their teaching based on pupils' ages and learning stages. However, there are inconsistencies in how teachers check pupils' understanding, leading to some pupils not receiving appropriately challenging work. This results in a lack of progress for some students, as they do not meet the curriculum's aims.
The school has implemented a phonics program to support reading development from Reception onwards. While pupils learn essential reading skills, staff training in delivering phonics sessions has been insufficient, leading to inconsistencies in program delivery. Consequently, some pupils are not adequately supported to advance in their reading skills, which affects their overall confidence and enjoyment of reading.
Behavior in lessons is generally good, with pupils listening attentively and following instructions. However, there are occasions when expectations for behavior are not consistently enforced, leading to distractions that can hinder learning.
Walsingham CE VA Primary School prepares pupils well for life in modern Britain, promoting respect for others and teaching about various religions and beliefs. Many pupils participate in extracurricular clubs, such as football, art, and cooking, which they enjoy and find valuable for skill development.
Leadership at the school, including the governing body, is committed to prioritizing pupils' best interests. They have taken steps to ensure consistency during staff absences and are mindful of staff workload and well-being.
The safeguarding arrangements at the school are effective, ensuring a safe environment for all pupils. However, to improve, the school must ensure that teachers are clear on how to adapt the curriculum for all pupils and provide adequate training for staff to deliver the reading curriculum effectively. Consistency in implementing the behavior policy is also necessary to maintain a conducive learning environment.
Overall, while Walsingham CE VA Primary School has strengths in various areas, there are significant improvements needed in the quality of education and curriculum delivery to ensure all pupils achieve their full potential.
