Whalley Church of England Primary School praised by Ofsted

The school, on Church Lane, was praised by inspectors for having "an open and positive culture of safeguarding".

The report also noted that leaders "identify the needs of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities quickly and accurately," ensuring they receive the right support from the start.

This allows pupils to "learn successfully alongside their peers."

The school was commended for its effective use of additional funding for disadvantaged pupils, which is "targeted at strategies that make a tangible difference."

Inspectors found that "disadvantaged pupils achieve well and take a full part in school life alongside their peers."

The school’s achievement was rated as meeting the expected standard, with outcomes in reading, writing, and mathematics consistently above national averages at the end of Year 6.

However, the report noted that "the gap between disadvantaged pupils and their peers at this school is not narrowing."

Attendance at the school is above the national average, and the school has "high expectations for attendance from the moment pupils start school."

The report praised the school for its "calm, respectful and welcoming" environment, where "bullying is not tolerated and is rare."

The curriculum and teaching were also rated as meeting the expected standard.

The curriculum is described as "broad and balanced," covering a wide range of subjects alongside reading, writing, and mathematics.

However, the report noted that "occasionally, in subjects beyond English and mathematics, staff do not address pupils' misunderstandings effectively."

The early years provision was also rated as meeting the expected standard.

Children in the early years benefit from a "well-planned curriculum" and are "well prepared for Year 1."

However, the report noted that "occasionally, expectations for some children are not high enough."

Leadership and governance were also rated as meeting the expected standard.

The report praised the leaders for their "clear systems that support them to check the quality of the school's work" and their focus on the outcomes of disadvantaged pupils and those with special educational needs and/or disabilities.

The school has a "well-structured programme to support pupils' personal development," and pupils "study personal, social, health and economic education."

The report noted that "pupils know the difference between right and wrong" and "listen respectfully to the views of others."

The school's Church of England ethos "shapes pupils' spiritual development in a meaningful way."

The report concluded that "pupils at Whalley Church of England Primary School are happy, safe and well cared for."

The next steps for the school include ensuring that staff address occasional gaps in some pupils' knowledge beyond English and mathematics, and that staff consistently have high enough expectations for all children in the early years, particularly in writing.