AN OFSTED report following an April inspection has recognised Wellington’s Wellesley Park Primary School as “effective and improving”.

The school, part of the Blackdown Education Partnership, was found to be fulfilling the expected standard of education across six areas including attendance and behaviour, curriculum and teaching, inclusion, leadership and governance, and personal development and wellbeing.

It achieved a ‘strong standard’ across its early years provision including its new nursery for children aged from nine months.

It was reported as having with a strong safeguarding culture with all safeguarding standards met and inspectors recognising the open, positive culture the school had built, where “safeguarding is everyone's responsibility and concerns are actively identified, acted upon and managed.”

The quality of provision, nurturing environment and strong teaching of early language and reading were particularly praised. The report stated: “Leaders ensure that children get off to a flying start in early years… The learning environment is inclusive, purposeful and nurturing.”

The report also recognised the positive attitudes of pupils, the pride in their school and the calm, purposeful learning environment created every day stating the pupils felt welcomed and supported from the moment they arrive starting the day ready to learn.

The report said leaders at the school are ambitious and have high expectations for all pupils with the school's motto, ‘Belief in every child’ informing their decisions with the leaders' plan for improvement placing curriculum, teaching and inclusion at the heart of the school’s work.

Headteacher Carly Wilkins praised her staff and said: “The report reflects the unwavering dedication, professionalism and care demonstrated by the team every day.

“I am immensely proud of what we have accomplished together. This outcome reflects the strength of our teamwork, our commitment, and our unwavering belief in every child.”

Wellesley Park had 299 pupils on role at the time of the inspection aged from two to 11 years.

Maths and writing assessments were close to average compared to national averages but the report stated: “Over time, pupils generally reach the expected standards in reading, writing and mathematics. Pupils’ achievement in the end-of-Year 6 tests is broadly in line with national averages.”

Attendance at the school has improved with leaders celebrating regular attendance in weekly assemblies and through reward systems. The report added it was a reflection of the relationships the school builds with families and the care they show in supporting pupils to attend school.

Rates of absence were just 4.2 percent and persistent absence well below the national average of 13.3 percent at 6.5 percent.

The school has a higher than national average percentage of pupils needing SEN (special educational needs) at 18.39 percent compared to 15 percent nationally. They are taught the same curriculum as their peers.

The report highlighted that teachers in class make helpful changes so pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities have their barriers to learning reduced with teachers typically using a variety of approaches effectively, such as speech and language help with staff skilled at delivering targeted support.