An Ofsted inspection has found that a Nottinghamshire school is in need of improvements. Walesby Church of England Primary School was inspected on April 18 and April 19, 2023 and was graded as "Required Improvement" by the government agency.
The school was rated good for its personal development, but the inspectors deemed it to require improvement in all other areas. This included the quality of education, leadership and management, early years provision, behaviour and attitudes.
The school has more than 100 pupils, and had received a Good grade during its previous inspection in February 2018. In the report, the inspectors stated: "Pupils behave well. They are well-mannered.
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"They know how the ‘Walesby Way’ rules help them to get on with each other. They are motivated by the rewards on offer, including verbal praise, team points, receiving ‘thoughtful bear’ and being selected for Friday’s ‘magic mentions’ assembly."
Regarding what the school needs to improve, it stated: "The majority of the school’s curriculum is planned and sequenced. However, in some subjects, it does not set out precisely enough the most important content that pupils are expected to know and remember.
"As a result, pupils’ recall of the curriculum is inconsistent. Leaders should ensure that the curriculum makes clear the most important content that pupils are expected to know and that pupils consistently remember this.
"The early years curriculum is at a very early stage of implementation. Children have not yet begun to learn the curriculum and work towards the milestones that it sets out. Leaders should ensure that the early years curriculum is fully implemented."
The report went on to state that "the quality of plans for pupils with SEND are too variable in quality. In somecases, targets are too broad and do not make clear enough the support that pupils should receive.
"As a result, the help that these pupils receive is inconsistent. Leaders should ensure that the plans for pupils with SEND are specific, measurable and make clear the support that will be put in place."
The report also discussed how absence levels remain high at the school, and that procedures for tackling poor attendance need to be fully implemented. It added that "a significant proportion of parents do not view the school positively" and have raised concerns around the provision for pupils with SEND."
Walesby Church of England Primary School has been approached for comment.
