The Weatheralls Primary School, located in Soham, Cambridgeshire, underwent an inspection on 18 and 19 October 2023. The overall effectiveness of the school was rated as requiring improvement, with the quality of education also receiving the same rating. However, the school demonstrated good performance in areas such as behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and early years provision. The headteacher, Ruchi Sabharwal, has been in post since May 2023, and the school is part of the Staploe Education Trust, overseen by CEO Carin Taylor and a board of trustees chaired by Simon Wright.
Pupils generally enjoy attending the school and develop positive relationships with staff, who are seen as supportive and caring. From early years, students learn about safety and know whom to approach with concerns. While most pupils behave well and understand the school's behaviour management approach, there have been challenges due to staffing turbulence, which has affected the consistency of education quality. This inconsistency has led to gaps in pupils' knowledge, preventing them from meeting the school's high expectations.
The school has made strides in reviewing and strengthening its curriculum, with clear and ambitious documents outlining the knowledge pupils should acquire. Staff have received training to effectively teach this curriculum, and teachers possess the necessary subject knowledge. However, previous assessment systems lacked precision, leading to undetected gaps in pupils' understanding. Although improvements are underway, some pupils still struggle, particularly in writing, where issues with content, spelling, punctuation, and grammar persist.
Reading is a priority at the school, with early years pupils starting their reading journey promptly. Staff are trained in phonics instruction, and regular assessments help identify students who may need additional support. Pupils have access to books that align with their learning, fostering fluency and enjoyment in reading. The school effectively identifies the needs of pupils with special educational needs and disabilities, providing tailored support to ensure they can access the same curriculum as their peers.
The school places a strong emphasis on pupils' well-being and personal development, teaching them to appreciate differences and show tolerance. Enrichment opportunities, such as science and engineering projects, enhance pupils' experiences, and there are avenues for them to take on responsibilities, such as school councillors. However, there is a need for broader extracurricular offerings to help pupils develop their talents and interests.
Recent leadership changes have brought a renewed focus on improving educational quality, with monitoring of attendance contributing to reduced absence rates. Staff express satisfaction with their work environment and feel supported by leadership, which considers their workload.
The school must address several areas for improvement. The previous lack of rigorous assessment has hindered the identification of knowledge gaps, particularly in English and mathematics. The school should enhance its communication with parents to ensure they are well-informed about their children's progress. Additionally, the extracurricular and enrichment programs should be expanded to provide more varied opportunities for pupils.
Overall, while The Weatheralls Primary School has made progress in certain areas, there remains work to be done to ensure a consistently high quality of education for all pupils. The commitment to improvement is evident, and with continued focus, the school can enhance its educational offerings and support for students.
