Elm Wood School

Overview

Pupils are “enthusiastic about coming to school and learning here,” benefiting from an “ambitious curriculum” and strong relationships with staff. The school is described as being “like a big family,” where high expectations support good attainment for all pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities.

Strengths

• Pupils “enjoy lessons” and demonstrate “kind behaviour,” resolving differences through “open discussion.”
• The teaching of reading is structured and accurate, with staff effectively identifying and addressing gaps in pupils’ learning.
• Pupils with SEND receive “effective plans” and support, enabling them to “participate fully in the same curriculum” as their peers.
• Staff “check pupils’ understanding across the curriculum well,” helping to quickly address misconceptions in subjects like mathematics.
• Leaders are “passionate” and manage changes well, ensuring staff feel their “well-being and workload” are considered.

Areas to improve

• In “a few curriculum subjects,” the school has not “precisely identified the important knowledge” it wants pupils to learn, leading to gaps in what pupils know and remember.
• The school should “continue to embed its ambitious curriculum” by identifying the most important knowledge to ensure consistent achievement across all subjects.

Safeguarding

The report states that “the arrangements for safeguarding are effective.”