Woodside Primary School and Nursery, located in Dudley, West Midlands, has recently undergone an inspection on November 21 and 22, 2023, and has been rated as good in overall effectiveness, quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and early years provision. This marks a significant improvement from its previous inspection, which rated the school as requiring improvement. The headteacher, Sally Bloomer, leads the school, which is part of the Hales Valley Trust, overseen by CEO Rebecca Cox and a board of trustees chaired by Mark Simpson.
Pupils at Woodside Primary School enjoy their time at school and feel safe, supported by strong pastoral care systems. The school has established effective measures to address bullying, fostering a collaborative environment where both adults and pupils work together to maintain a positive atmosphere. The quality of teaching is commendable, with lessons being orderly and comprehensive, covering the full curriculum. Since the last inspection, the expectations for pupil achievement have increased, resulting in improved learning outcomes and rising standards across the school.
The school is committed to ensuring that all pupils, regardless of their individual needs, receive the necessary support to thrive academically and personally. Beyond the classroom, a variety of extracurricular activities, including clubs, trips, and residential experiences, enrich the pupils' educational experience. The school community is characterized by a strong team spirit, with staff, pupils, and parents describing it as welcoming and friendly.
Leadership at Woodside Primary School has been instrumental in driving improvements since the last inspection. The collaborative efforts of the leadership team and the support from Hales Valley Trust have strengthened the curriculum and elevated standards. While there is still work to be done in further developing curriculum design, the school is on the right path, with noticeable improvements in reading, writing, and mathematics evident in pupils' work and assessment results.
The early years provision is particularly effective, with a focus on communication and language development in the Nursery class, which prepares children well for phonics lessons in Reception. The school employs a well-resourced phonics scheme, and staff receive regular training to enhance their teaching practices. As a result, more children are entering key stage two with the ability to read accurately, and additional support is provided for those who require it.
The curriculum is broad and engaging, covering all subjects of the national curriculum. Subject leaders are proactive in keeping up with developments and ensuring that the curriculum is well-planned and taught. However, there are instances where staff may lack clarity on the most critical content to emphasize, particularly in subjects like computing.
Pupils with special educational needs and disabilities benefit from expert support, with their needs accurately identified and addressed. The school's inclusive ethos ensures that every pupil feels valued and supported. In addition to academic learning, the school emphasizes the importance of teaching pupils about respectful and safe behaviour, healthy relationships, and the consequences of discrimination.
Despite improvements in attendance following the pandemic, some pupils still miss too much school, which affects their learning. The school is committed to working with parents and professional services to enhance attendance rates. Staff appreciate the subject-specific training provided and benefit from collaborative networks within the trust.
The safeguarding arrangements at Woodside Primary School are effective, ensuring a safe environment for all pupils. The school is dedicated to continuous improvement, focusing on developing the curriculum further and addressing attendance issues to enhance the educational experience for all students.
