Weasenham Church of England Primary Academy, located in Norfolk, was inspected on 22-23 May 2019 and received an overall effectiveness rating of good. The leadership and management of the school are also rated as good, with senior leaders, governors, and trustees working collaboratively to set high expectations and a shared strategic vision. The middle leadership team is cohesive and effectively supports school improvement. Professional training for teachers and teaching assistants has been utilized effectively, leading to improvements in teaching quality and learning outcomes.
The early years provision is strong, providing children with a good start in their educational journey. The curriculum offers interesting opportunities for independent learning and collaboration among pupils in mixed-age classes. Parental support for the school is high, with parents expressing confidence in the leadership and the efforts of staff to support their children's learning. Safeguarding measures are effective, ensuring that pupils are well cared for and safe.
Teaching and learning for disadvantaged pupils and those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) are well organized, with additional funding effectively used to support their progress. The new behavior management policy has positively impacted pupils' behavior and social skills, leading to good behavior in lessons and around the school. The curriculum is stimulating and promotes pupils' spiritual, moral, social, and cultural development effectively.
While teaching is generally good, there are areas for improvement, particularly in consistently challenging the most able pupils to reach higher standards in English and mathematics. Additionally, the recent focus on enhancing pupils' communication and language skills through technical vocabulary has yet to show a significant positive impact on outcomes.
To further improve, the school aims to enhance the quality of teaching, learning, and assessment to ensure good progress for all pupils. This includes consistently challenging the most able pupils and developing their understanding of key vocabulary across the curriculum.
The effectiveness of leadership and management is rated as good, with leaders, staff, governors, and trustees working effectively together. The executive headteacher has strategically placed leaders and teachers across federated schools to share expertise. Staff feel well supported, and high-quality training has enhanced their knowledge, improving teaching quality and pupil progress.
Subject leaders ensure that the curriculum builds on pupils' knowledge and skills, with ongoing assessments to support teaching. Support for disadvantaged pupils is carefully planned, addressing individual barriers to learning. The special educational needs coordinator monitors the quality of teaching for pupils with SEND, ensuring personalized tasks that promote good progress.
Pupils' personal development and welfare are also rated as good. They enjoy school, demonstrate positive attitudes to learning, and develop respectful relationships with staff. The school effectively promotes good behavior, with pupils understanding the expectations set by the new behavior policy. Attendance is improving, and pupils express eagerness to learn.
Outcomes for pupils are good, with current pupils making good progress across the curriculum. The school has a strong phonics program, and most pupils reach the expected standard in the phonics screening check. However, the most able pupils are not consistently stretched to achieve their full potential.
The early years provision is rated as good, with effective teaching and a well-organized learning environment. Children make good progress from their starting points and are well prepared for Year 1. The school fosters strong relationships with parents, ensuring a smooth transition for new pupils. Overall, Weasenham Church of England Primary Academy demonstrates a commitment to continuous improvement and the well-being of its pupils.
