Weare Academy First School

Overview

The report describes a school where “children and pupils thrive” and relationships are a key strength. Leaders have created an “inclusive and ambitious curriculum” with high expectations for all pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities. The overall effectiveness is judged as Good.

Strengths

• Staff create a “calm and productive” atmosphere, with pupils behaving well and bullying being rare.
• The Nursery provides a “flying start,” with staff prioritising speech, language, and social skills.
• Leaders ensure every pupil becomes a “fluent reader,” using effective phonics and early intervention.
• The school offers “excellent pastoral support,” with adults knowing pupils well and acting swiftly on welfare concerns.
• Pupils with SEND access the same curriculum content as their peers, with teachers adapting work to ensure success.

Areas to improve

• Middle leaders must monitor their areas to ensure they understand how well the curriculum is implemented for all pupils.
• Assessment practices need to be consistently established across all subjects to check what pupils know and remember.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with a strong culture where staff are well trained to report concerns and leaders act swiftly to support pupils and families.