Ofsted tells Derbyshire school it must improve

The education watchdog says staff at Whitwell Primary School must ensure pupils’ reading skills and attendance get better.

Inspectors say the Southfield Lane school requires improvement overall as well as for the quality of education provided and its leadership and managment.

Behaviour and attitudes, personal development and early years’ provision are all rated as good.

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Lead inspector Christine Watkins says in her report, published this week: “Younger pupils make a good start in learning to read. However, older pupils do not achieve as well as they should in reading, grammar and mathematics by the time they leave the school.

“Some pupils do not remember what they have learned in other subjects, such as geography and science.”

However, inspectors said pupils told them ‘they enjoy coming to school’.

“They appreciate the wide range of after-school clubs, for example rugby, science, choir and handball," the report says.

“They told us about the school currency, which they helped design. They really like earning currency for things like good attendance or being well organised.

“They can spend or save this ‘money’ in the school bank. This helps pupils to learn about managing their own money.”

The report says children in the early years ‘settle quickly and achieve well’ but this progress does not continue into key stage 2.

The report says: “Leaders began to introduce improvements, but this did not happen quickly enough. Pupils’ achievement continued to decline in 2019.

“Leaders and staff have taken further actions to improve reading in key stage 2 this year. It is too soon to see the impact.

“In mathematics, the picture is more positive. Pupils build their knowledge, skills and confidence each year.

“Teachers plan activities that are demanding. They ensure that pupils get the support that they need. Pupils’ achievement in mathematics is improving.”

The school has been asked to provide a comment.

Read the report here on the Ofsted website.