Wellesley Primary School praised by Ofsted inspectors

A YATE primary school has been praised for its clear vision and pupils’ passion to succeed.

Ofsted says Wellesley Primary provides an “ambitious” curriculum and staff have a “collective determination to improve the school”.

Two inspectors from the regulator visited the school, in Edgeworth, in the spring.

Their report, published in June, found it to be ‘good’ in all areas: quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and early years provision.

The inspectors said: “Wellesley Primary School is a welcoming and inclusive school. It sits at the heart of the community.

“The school has a clear vision for the education it wants to provide. Pupils embrace this and are passionate to ‘aim high and reach for the sky’.”

The report said the curriculum at the school, which has 208 pupils aged from 4 to 11, sets out the important knowledge that pupils need to learn over time, prioritising reading and developing pupils’ enthusiasm as they progress through the school.

It said the school swiftly identifies pupils with special educational needs or disabilities, to ensure they are supported from the time they start.

‘High expectations’ of pupils

The inspectors said: “The school has high expectations for how pupils behave. Pupils meet these expectations and demonstrate positive attitudes to learning.

“There is a calm and purposeful environment in classrooms and around the school.”

The report said pupils celebrate difference and are welcoming, polite and respectful to all, creating an “inclusive environment” where children of all ages play well together, and show each other care and consideration.

The inspectors said: “The school prioritises pupils’ well-being and safety.

“Staff form positive relationships with pupils. As a result, pupils feel happy, safe and valued.

“Staff morale is high at Wellesley and there is a collective determination to improve the school.” The inspectors said the school responded well to address areas for improvement identified at an inspection last year. To further improve, they recommended that assessment is “used effectively across all subjects”, to adapt future learning.

The school has been given a ‘good’ rating in five consecutive inspections since 2010.

‘We are extremely proud of our school’

Head teacher Heather Small (pictured above, with pupils) said: “We are delighted with our recent Ofsted report, which recognises the hard work the whole school community puts in to supporting our pupils.

“We are extremely proud of our school, where everyone works together for the benefit of the children. It is lovely to see Ofsted acknowledging the good job we are doing.

“I would like to thank our pupils, staff, parents and governors for the part they have played in achieving this outcome.”