Dormers Wells Primary School

Overview

Pupils are described as “happy and safe,” displaying “exemplary” behaviour and high levels of respect. Leaders maintain “high expectations” for all pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, ensuring they experience a “wealth of opportunities” to prepare for life beyond school. The curriculum is ambitious, with most subjects well-sequenced, though some areas require clearer planning.

Strengths

• Pupils’ behaviour is “exemplary,” with bullying rarely occurring and low-level disruption absent.
• Leaders have introduced a successful new phonics programme, helping pupils at earlier reading stages rapidly catch up.
• Staff provide time for pupils to “practise and embed learning,” ensuring key knowledge is remembered.
• A collaborative staff culture exists where colleagues feel “safe to ask for help” and view workload positively.
• Pupils actively influence school improvements, such as designing the new uniform and logo.

Areas to improve

• In some wider curriculum subjects, such as geography and music, learning is “not as clearly organised” and leaders have not provided enough precise detail on what to teach and when.
• Leaders need to ensure all subjects are “coherently planned and sequenced” so teachers can effectively check what pupils have learned.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are “effective,” with leaders and staff understanding their responsibilities well and liaising effectively with external agencies.