Whaddon CofE School

Overview

Whaddon CofE School is described as a "happy school built on mutual respect and tolerance," where pupils feel safe and engage positively with their learning. Leaders have established a "broad and ambitious curriculum" that is "well ordered," resulting in pupils achieving broadly in line with national averages and being well prepared for secondary school.

Strengths

• Attendance is promoted consistently, with leaders taking "prompt" action to support pupils, leading to high regular attendance.
• Behaviour is excellent; classrooms are "calm," pupils behave with "integrity," and bullying is not tolerated.
• Staff deliver the phonics programme with "accuracy," and pupils develop a "deep love of reading."
• Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities receive "targeted support" and access the curriculum alongside their peers.
• Leaders provide "well-considered professional learning" for staff, who value efforts to reduce workload and prioritise wellbeing.

Areas to improve

• Teachers should "adjust learning tasks" to consistently support pupils in building knowledge securely across all subjects.
• Staff should "maximise opportunities to check and address any gaps in understanding" to ensure pupils achieve well.

Safeguarding

The safeguarding standards are met, with an "open culture in which safeguarding is everyone's responsibility" ensuring pupils are made safer and feel safe.