Great Wood Community Primary School, located in Upper Tean, Stoke-on-Trent, continues to be recognized as a good school following its inspection on February 16, 2022. The school fosters a positive environment where pupils are happy, enthusiastic, and confident learners. Teachers are dedicated to planning engaging lessons that enhance pupils' skills and knowledge across a diverse range of subjects. In the Reception class, children display eagerness to learn, developing strong foundational skills in reading and mathematics that prepare them well for Year 1 and beyond.
The leadership team at Great Wood has established high expectations for all pupils, creating an inclusive atmosphere where every child can thrive and achieve. Staff members encourage pupils to be responsible, caring, and ambitious, with students actively participating in fundraising activities both in and out of school. The visible collection of badges on their school ties reflects their engagement as active citizens.
Behaviour throughout the school is consistently good, with pupils demonstrating kindness, politeness, and articulate communication. They treat staff and peers with respect and are knowledgeable about various forms of bullying. The leadership team promptly addresses any incidents to ensure a safe and supportive environment. Pupils feel secure at school and are educated on online safety, healthy relationships, and bicycle safety, fostering confidence in approaching staff with any concerns.
The school excels in delivering a broad and well-balanced curriculum, particularly in mathematics, where teachers exhibit strong subject knowledge and effectively model new concepts. The recent introduction of a new assessment system aims to provide insights into pupil achievement, although it is still early to evaluate its effectiveness. Pupils enjoy mathematics and demonstrate enthusiasm, understanding, and retention of what they learn.
Reading is prioritized across the school, with leaders ensuring that pupils read regularly both in class and at home. Books are carefully matched to pupils' abilities, and a wide selection of quality reading materials is available for older students, promoting a culture of confident and avid readers. Support is provided for lower-attaining pupils to help them achieve alongside their peers.
Phonics instruction is delivered effectively, with staff grouping pupils by attainment and tailoring work to meet diverse needs. However, there are instances where staff do not address spelling and grammatical errors in pupils' writing, hindering the development of their writing skills. The school has a small number of pupils with special educational needs and disabilities, and tailored support is provided to ensure their success and enjoyment in learning.
Pupils have numerous opportunities to explore their interests and talents through the curriculum, including learning an instrument and participating in various enriching activities. Their enthusiasm for learning is evident in their excellent behaviour during lessons, contributing to a calm and orderly school environment.
Staff members take pride in working at Great Wood, describing it as a close-knit community. Leaders are attentive to staff well-being and workload, involving them in decision-making processes. The trust leaders provide effective support and challenge, fostering collaboration among schools within the trust to share good practices and enhance professional development.
The safeguarding arrangements at the school are effective, with leaders and staff demonstrating a strong commitment to pupil well-being. They are vigilant in recognizing signs of abuse and act swiftly to provide necessary support. Pupils are educated on safety and know how to seek help from trusted adults.
While the school is performing well, there are areas for improvement, particularly in the early years curriculum, which requires further planning and sequencing. Additionally, staff need to ensure that they address errors in pupils' writing to enhance their grammatical and spelling skills. Overall, Great Wood Community Primary School is a supportive and effective learning environment where pupils can thrive.
