Millbrook Primary School, located in Wantage, Oxfordshire, has recently undergone an inspection on November 28 and 29, 2023, and has been rated as good overall. The school has shown significant improvement since its previous inspection, which rated it as requiring improvement. The leadership team, including head of school Faye Charlton and executive headteacher Steven Rose, has effectively transformed the school environment, fostering a culture of high expectations and strong community values.
Pupils express a unified sentiment that Millbrook is an exciting and happy place to learn. The relationships among students and staff are characterized by warmth and respect, with leaders prioritizing the interests of their pupils. Disadvantaged students benefit from numerous opportunities provided by the school, which emphasizes kindness and responsibility as core values. The school promotes a positive atmosphere where older students serve as role models, actively engaging in initiatives like the kindness crew and sports leadership to ensure inclusivity among peers.
Behaviour at Millbrook is exemplary, with classrooms free from disruption. Students consistently demonstrate politeness and courtesy, embodying the school’s ethos of ‘Millbrook manners.’ They take pride in recognizing their peers for demonstrating strong learning behaviours, fostering a supportive community. Parents echo these sentiments, with many describing the school as a nurturing environment akin to a supportive family.
The school excels in its commitment to reading, instilling a love for literature across all aspects of school life. Storytime is a highlight for both pupils and staff, and the school has made concerted efforts to provide access to a diverse range of high-quality texts. The phonics program is well-implemented, with staff demonstrating expertise in teaching reading from the early years. Pupils requiring additional support receive targeted assistance to ensure they keep pace with their peers.
Millbrook Primary School has developed an ambitious curriculum that identifies essential knowledge and vocabulary for each learning unit. The curriculum is well-sequenced, building on prior knowledge from Nursery through Year 6. Teachers effectively help students retain key content through daily retrieval sessions, particularly in subjects where their subject knowledge is strongest. The school also supports pupils with special educational needs and disabilities, ensuring they learn the curriculum effectively.
However, there are areas for improvement. In some foundation subjects, teachers' subject knowledge and pedagogical approaches are not as robust, leading to less effective learning outcomes in these areas. The school has plans in place to enhance teacher support in these subjects. Additionally, the recent relocation of the nursery has presented challenges in providing meaningful outdoor learning experiences, which the school is actively addressing.
Pupils’ personal development is highly regarded, with initiatives like the character and citizenship award encouraging them to engage in new experiences and contribute positively to their community. The school fosters a sense of responsibility, as evidenced by pupils planning community events to express gratitude to local businesses.
The safeguarding arrangements at Millbrook Primary School are effective, ensuring a safe environment for all students. The school is committed to continuous improvement, with leaders focused on monitoring the implementation of the curriculum to ensure high effectiveness across all subjects. Overall, Millbrook Primary School stands out as a place where pupils thrive academically and personally, supported by a dedicated staff and a strong community ethos.
