Whitfield CofE Primary School

Overview

Whitfield CofE Primary School is described as a “warm, kind and welcoming community” where pupils behave well and feel safe. While attendance and personal development meet the expected standard, the report identifies that pupils’ attainment in reading, writing, and mathematics is currently too low. Leaders are working to address these gaps, but the report states they have “not acted with sufficient speed to improve pupils’ outcomes.”

Strengths

• Attendance is “well above the most recent national average,” with no persistently absent pupils.
• The school is “inclusive,” providing successful support for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities.
• Pupils demonstrate strong personal development, including a “secure understanding of fundamental British values” and knowledge of diversity.
• Relationships between staff, pupils, and parents are “strong,” with effective communication and timely referrals for additional support.
• The school fosters a positive culture where pupils take on roles of responsibility, such as eco-councillors, and enjoy outdoor learning.

Areas to improve

• Leaders must ensure all staff have “high expectations” for early years children, particularly regarding foundational reading and writing skills.
• Improving attainment and progress in reading, writing, and mathematics for key stages 1 and 2 must be of the “very highest priority.”
• Leaders should check carefully that strategies to improve core and foundation subject curriculums are having the “intended impact.”

Safeguarding

The safeguarding standards are met, with leaders establishing an “open culture in which safeguarding is everyone's responsibility” and concerns actively managed.