Wearhead Primary School

Overview

Wearhead Primary School has taken effective action to maintain the standards identified at the previous inspection. Pupils thrive within a “tightly knit and nurturing school community” where positive relationships and high expectations drive strong social and academic achievement. The school provides a happy, safe environment with an ambitious curriculum that well prepares pupils for future education.

Strengths

• Pupils benefit from an “ambitious and well-sequenced curriculum” and “engaging lessons” tailored to mixed-age classes.
• There is a “rigorous approach to the teaching of phonics and early reading,” enabling pupils to become confident, fluent readers.
• Staff provide “focused support” for all pupils, including bespoke one-to-one teaching for those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).
• Behaviour is “very positive,” with older pupils demonstrating “exemplary attitudes” towards younger children.
• The early years setting fosters a “tangible love of stories, songs and rhyme” through high-quality adult interactions.

Areas to improve

• The school should embed assessment processes to ensure checks on key knowledge allow gaps in learning to be identified and addressed promptly.
• Governors should develop their ability to offer robust challenge and support to leaders to fulfil their monitoring roles more effectively.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.