The school was inspected by six inspectors,
led by Mr D Byrne. This is a summary of the inspection report,
which is available from the school.
INFORMATION ABOUT THE SCHOOL
Great Wood Primary School serves a mixed community with a significant
number of pupils coming from advantaged backgrounds. There is
no Nursery and children start school in the Reception class with
attainment that is broadly in line with the national average.
The vast majority of the 348 pupils are of white British origin
with a very small number from minority ethnic backgrounds. There
are no refugees. The percentage of pupils identified with English
as an additional language is very low at 1 %. The percentage of
pupils eligible for free school meals (4%) is very low and the
percentage of pupils with special educational needs (8%), is also
very low when compared to the national average. One pupil has
a statement of special educational need. The school population
is very stable with very few pupils leaving or starting at times
other than the start and end of the school year.
HOW GOOD THE SCHOOL IS
The school provides a satisfactory quality of education. Good
teaching in the Foundation Stage and very good teaching in Key
Stage 1 give pupils a good start to their education. Very good
management of English, mathematics and science results in pupils
achieving high standards in each of these subjects but in Key
Stage 2 pupils could and should be achieving higher standards
in other subjects. In Key Stage 2 teaching in English and science
is good whilst in mathematics it is very good but in some other
subjects it is unsatisfactory. The overall leadership and management
of the school are satisfactory and the school is currently giving
satisfactory value for money.
What the school does well
· Very good teaching in English and science and very good
teaching in mathematics results in pupils achieving very high
standards.
· Good attitudes, behaviour
and levels of personal development and relationships are developed
and attendance is very good.
· Teaching in the Foundation
Stage is good and in Key Stage 1 it is very good.
· Good procedures are established
to ensure the welfare of pupils and to maintain child protection
and to promote good behaviour.
· Good links exist with parents.
· The accommodation is of
a good quality and is well maintained.
· The governing body is supportive
and works hard to help the school.
What could be improved
• Standards in design and technology at the end of both
keys stages and in, geography, history, information and communication
technology, music and religious education at the end of Key Stage
2.
.• The curriculum for pupils
in Key Stage 2.
• Procedures for subject co-ordinators
to monitor teaching and learning and assess pupils' attainment
and progress in subjects other than English, mathematics and science.
• The quality of the school
development plan.
• The pupils' awareness of
the beliefs and ways of life of people of other cultures.
The areas for improvement
will form the basis of the governors' action plan.
HHOW THE SCHOOL HAS IMPROVED SINCE
ITS LAST INSPECTION
The school has improved satisfactorily since the last inspection
in November 1997. Standards in English, mathematics and science
are better, and the provision for the Foundation Stage and for
pupils with special educational needs is much better. Attainment
in aspects of design and technology, geography, history, music
and religious education is not as high as it was in the last inspection.
The procedures for assessing English, mathematics and science
have improved but in other subjects assessment remains unsatisfactory.
Monitoring procedures are very good in English and mathematics
and science, but unsatisfactory in most other subjects. The school
now meets all statutory requirements with regard to collective
worship and there is a good child protection policy in place.
The quality of information to parents is now much better. The
school has a satisfactory capacity to improve in the future.
