Willow Tree Primary School

Overview

Willow Tree Primary School is described as a “friendly and inclusive” institution where staff demonstrate a “great sense of care” for pupils. Leaders maintain “high aspirations for all pupils,” ensuring that children achieve well through a “rich curriculum” that fosters secure knowledge retention. The school cultivates a “calm and orderly atmosphere” where pupils feel safe and are encouraged to respect one another’s views.

Strengths

• The curriculum is “ambitious” and “clearly sequenced,” allowing pupils’ knowledge to build “step by step” from early years to Year 6.
• Early reading provision is strong, with skilled teachers delivering a phonics programme that ensures pupils become “fluent, confident readers.”
• Provision for pupils in the additional specialist resource provision (ARP) is “particularly strong,” with staff using detailed knowledge to deliver an ambitious curriculum.
• Pupils benefit from a wide range of extra-curricular opportunities, including music and sports, which deepen their “cultural development.”
• Staff report that leaders are “considerate and respectful,” providing valuable support to manage workload and well-being.

Areas to improve

• The curriculum in some foundation subjects lacks the “ambition and rigour” found in core subjects, resulting in weaker pupil progress. Leaders must ensure all subjects are taught with equal rigour and provide further professional development.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are “effective,” with leaders prioritising safety, providing regular staff training, and responding “diligently” to concerns.