Widmer End Community Combined School

Overview

This is a “happy school” where pupils are “confident and motivated to learn” and feel “safe and secure.” Leaders have driven a “programme of rapid improvements” since the current headteacher joined, resulting in a “flourishing” environment with high expectations for behaviour and achievement.

Strengths

• The curriculum is “well designed,” enabling pupils to “build their knowledge and understanding systematically.”
• Staff demonstrate “expert knowledge of how to teach phonics,” ensuring pupils read fluently and receive effective support.
• Pupils show strong personal development, demonstrating a clear understanding of British values and engaging in activities that promote healthy lifestyles.
• Early years provision is strong, with children getting a “flying start” through early phonics teaching and an “exciting” environment.
• Safeguarding arrangements are “effective,” with staff receiving regular training and robust systems for internet safety.

Areas to improve

• Subject leaders must be “equipped with the skills and knowledge to review the impact of the curriculum on pupils’ learning,” as many are new and lack a secure understanding of implementation.
• Leaders should ensure staff have an “effective method of checking what pupils already know” in a few subjects where teachers are not clear about prior learning.

Safeguarding

The report states that “the arrangements for safeguarding are effective,” noting that staff take their responsibilities seriously and pupils learn about keeping safe online and in the community.