Woods Bank Academy

Overview

Woods Bank Academy is a primary school where pupils are “well behaved, polite, and have good manners” and feel “valued and safe.” The inspection found that the school has made significant improvements since its previous rating, delivering a “well-structured and ambitious curriculum” that helps most pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, achieve well.

Strengths

• Pupils benefit from a “structured approach to teaching phonics and reading,” which fosters confidence and a love of books.
• The school’s “pastoral care is a significant strength,” with targeted support and strategies like ‘calm corners’ creating a nurturing environment.
• Staff feel “valued and supported,” with effective governance providing “effective challenge and support” to improve education quality.
• Pupils take pride in roles such as “anti-bullying and reading ambassadors,” helping to create a friendly community where “everyone looks out for each other.”

Areas to improve

• Some teachers do not check pupils’ understanding effectively or use questioning well enough, meaning opportunities to build on previous learning are missed.
• In the early years, staff interactions are not yet effective enough in developing language and communication skills, limiting children’s progress.
• Some early years learning activities are not easily accessible for all children, restricting participation and learning across the curriculum.

Safeguarding

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