Wedmore First School Academy

Overview

Pupils enjoy attending this academy, where they demonstrate positive attitudes and kindness towards one another. However, the report states that “pupils are not learning the curriculum well enough” because much of the school’s improvement work is “in its infancy.” Consequently, the quality of education and leadership require improvement, although behaviour and personal development are rated as good.

Strengths

• Pupils show “positive attitudes to learning” and move around the school sensibly.
• Staff provide “care and support” in a “calm and orderly” environment with warm relationships.
• Leaders have an “accurate view of the school” and support staff well-being and workload.
• In some subjects, knowledge is carefully sequenced, helping pupils build understanding securely.
• Pupils develop into responsible citizens through leadership roles and value opportunities like outdoor learning.

Areas to improve

• The school must identify and sequence precise knowledge across all subjects so pupils can build knowledge securely.
• Staff expertise, particularly in the early years, needs development to plan work that deepens knowledge and aids retention.
• Checks on pupil learning are underdeveloped; the school must identify knowledge gaps and adapt tasks accordingly.
• Pupils struggling with reading and writing, including those with SEND, require more targeted support and well-matched books.

Safeguarding

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