Wath Church of England Primary School, located in Wath-upon-Dearne, Rotherham, has been recognized as a good school following its inspection in February 2020. The school motto, aim higher, shine brighter, reflects its commitment to creating a nurturing environment where students feel safe, happy, and valued. Parents and carers commend the school for its strong community feel, which has been maintained even as the school has doubled in size in recent years. The headteacher's personal engagement with students, greeting them by name, contributes to this sense of belonging.
The school has high expectations for all pupils, regardless of their abilities, and this is evident in the impressive displays of student writing throughout the school. Leaders are ambitious and have a clear understanding of the areas that require improvement, such as attendance for certain groups of pupils and enhancing the outdoor learning environment for younger students. While the school excels in reading, with a strong phonics program in place, there is a need for more opportunities for students to practice various writing styles across different subjects, particularly in history and geography.
Reading is prioritized at Wath Church of England Primary School, with leaders recognizing its importance in unlocking the rest of the curriculum. The school provides a well-matched selection of reading materials that align with the phonics being taught, fostering confidence and success among pupils. Teachers employ creative methods to help students tackle challenging words, making reading an enjoyable experience. The enthusiasm of the staff for reading positively influences all students, including those with special educational needs and disabilities.
The early years provision is strong, with children in Nursery and Reception benefiting from a supportive learning environment that encourages rapid development. However, the outdoor area still requires further enhancement to provide more opportunities for children to engage with letters, numbers, and mark-making. The wider curriculum offers some writing opportunities, but students do not engage frequently enough in subject-specific writing, which limits their exposure to different writing styles.
Pupil behavior is commendable, with students being polite and friendly. The school has effective systems in place to support students who may feel lonely or need assistance, such as playground ambassadors and the Butterfly Room. Parents and pupils feel confident that any incidents of bullying are addressed promptly.
While the school offers a variety of clubs and activities, there is a need for leaders to assess their appeal, particularly for vulnerable pupils, including those with special educational needs and disadvantaged students. Attendance is generally good, but certain groups, including some boys and disadvantaged pupils, have lower attendance rates, which impacts their learning.
Leaders have taken steps to manage staff workloads effectively, utilizing surveys to streamline planning and reduce data input time, resulting in a supportive work environment. Safeguarding measures are robust, with staff trained to recognize and report concerns, ensuring a safe environment for all pupils.
To improve, the school must provide more opportunities for students to develop their writing skills across the curriculum and enhance outdoor learning provisions for younger children. Additionally, leaders should ensure that clubs are appealing to all students and work to improve attendance rates for specific groups to align with national averages. Overall, Wath Church of England Primary School continues to demonstrate its commitment to providing a high-quality education for its pupils.
