Ofsted report sees Tidworth school jump from 'requires improvement' to 'good'
It hasn't made progress since it opened
Wellington Lions Primary Academy is progressing according to OFSTED, as it achieves it's first 'GOOD' status, in its latest inspection.
A visit from the education watchdog on May 7th saw the school had improved since it's last 'monitoring visit' in January 2021.
It was the first in person routine inspection at the school since the pandemic started.
A 'Requires improvement' rating was first given to the primary, part of Royal Wootton Bassett Academy Trust, in July 2017.
The visit was carried and took place because this rating was given twice in that time and the school required improvement at its previous section 5 inspections.
REPORT FINDINGS
Pupil's behaviour was found to be calm and orderly, and they are attending school regularly.
Staff are diligent in keeping pupils safe and there are many ways that pupils can share concerns with an experienced team supporting vulnerable students to a high standard.
English and Maths teachers have structured subjects so that pupils learn and remember more over time.
But home learning and Covid-19 have both had an effect on students learning Maths, leaving their fluency weaker than what it was before the pandemic.
In a letter to the Executive Headteacher Claire Addis, Ofsted Inspector Kathy Maddocks said:
"Leaders and other staff have made a concerted effort to make sure that pupils can catch up swiftly since their return in March 2021.
"In English, younger pupils have an effective understanding of the books that teachers read to them. You have appointed a phonics leader to check the impact of phonics teaching.
"Pupils are decoding words as well as a result. You are restocking the library so that Key stage 2 pupils have a greater choice of reading material.
"You have made the planning of subjects in the wider curriculum a key focus, you have employed an external consultant to train senior and subject leader. The implementation and impact of this work are not yet secure."