A high-achieving primary school has become one of the few in the country to score top marks in Ofsted’s tougher new inspections.
Woodfall Primary on Woodfall Lane, Little Neston, has not only improved from ‘good’ at a previous inspection in 2010 to ‘outstanding’, putting it in the top 5%, but all five main aspects of the school are also said to be exceptional.
It has continued to improve in every way Ofsted found.
The larger than average size primary has 396 pupils on roll.
The inspectors say head teacher Helen Hough has focused everyone’s energies on improving teaching and learning to be the best it can be and as a result standards are high.
Academic progress is excellent throughout the school and standards in reading, writing and maths at the end of key stage 2 are well above average.
The effect of teaching over time is outstanding and it is ‘innovative and imaginative’.
Pupils are keen to learn and the quality of teachers’ marking is ‘excellent’.
Disadvantaged pupils do very well and children who have faced difficulties in their lives or who have struggled to cope at other schools do well at Woodfall.
The specialist support given to pupils with particular needs is ‘second to none’.
The school provides many opportunities for pupils to develop a range of interests and skills and to make the most of their talents.
Excellence is encouraged and success is recognised and applauded.
The early years provision is ‘outstanding’ and the children settle in quickly and make good progress as they start school.
Children at Woodfall attend regularly, look smart and are rarely late, comment the inspectors.
The children say bullying does not happen and are confident that ‘it would be dealt with well if it did’. Parents who commented were unanimous in their view they would recommend the school to others.
The governors, chaired by Duncan Haworth, are extremely well informed and bring out the best in everyone.
The inspectors say the head is ‘a highly visible presence’ in the school and describe her as ‘an excellent leader’.
Mrs Hough said: “We are very pleased with the outcome of the inspection. The success of our school is down to the hard work and commitment of the school community.
“We have children at our school who are excited to learn and show the highest levels of respect and consideration for each other.
“We have a highly dedicated staff team, wonderful children, very supportive parents and effective governors.”
