Smiles and celebrations at ‘thriving’ primary school now rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted
![](/_site/data/images/news/59/main-North Wingfield Ofsted 2024smaller.png)
Celebrations are under way at a Chesterfield primary school now rated ‘Good’ in all areas of education following an Ofsted inspection which was full of praise.
Inspectors delivered their report after visiting North Wingfield Primary & Nursery Academy on 25th and 26th June, where they encountered a ‘thriving’ community school.
It was the first inspection since the school, previously rated ‘Requires improvement’, joined Redhill Academy Trust in March 2020. The report reads: “The trust has empowered the school to make North Wingfield a great place to work and to learn in.”
The report summarised: “Pupils enjoy attending this school. There is an inclusive ethos that celebrates diversity and promotes equality. Pupils and staff are especially proud of this. One parent aptly summed up that this school provides ‘a safe, welcoming, thriving environment for both children and parents to be part of’.”
The trust has empowered the school to make North Wingfield a great place to work and to learn in.
Headteacher Rachael Peacock said: “I am really pleased with the outcome of the Ofsted inspection. All staff have been working extremely hard to show what a good school we are. We are so proud of our school and love working with our supportive community.”
During the recent two-day visit, inspectors visited lessons, looked at pupils’ work and spoke to a wide range of stakeholders including pupils, parents, teachers, leaders and governors.
They commended North Wingfield’s ‘determined’ leaders for ‘continually driving improvements’, adding that the school’s ‘clear and consistently high expectations’ supported pupils to behave well.
The inspection team also recognised the work done to ensure the youngest children got the best start. The report reads: “Children get off to a good start with their education in the Nursery and Reception age classes.” It continues: “The engaging curriculum provides firm foundations for future learning. Children develop a real interest in learning through all the well-planned activities.”
Pupils enjoy attending this school. There is an inclusive ethos that celebrates diversity and promotes equality. Pupils and staff are especially proud of this.
Curriculum at North Wingfield was said to be ‘ambitious’ and delivered by teachers through ‘engaging lessons’. Inspectors noted: “Over the last few years, the school’s curriculum has been reviewed. It is well-designed and ambitious for pupils. It is taught effectively and pupils learn well. Everyone has high expectations of what pupils can achieve. Pupils’ overall achievement is improving considerably as a result.”
Attracting further praise was the school’s work around special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), with inspectors acknowledging that these were identified early.
They said: “Appropriate support plans are in place. Staff adapt the curriculum well for pupils with SEND. Parents of these pupils are incredibly appreciative of this support. Many talked of their child thriving and progressing beyond their expectations. One pupil said, ‘We feel that we are achieving as well as everyone else in our classes’.”
The report concludes: “Becoming valued members of society is the school’s main ambition for pupils. Staff make sure that pupils gain a firm understanding of fundamental British values. These underpin everything. Pupils explain how being tolerant and respectful, for example, makes their world a better place.”
Julie Wardle, Trust Primary Director, said: “Congratulations to Rachael and her team who have worked with determination to ensure that North Wingfield Primary and Nursery Academy is a great place for all children to learn. I am so proud of the dedicated staff, knowledgeable governors and exceptional children who have worked together to secure this well-deserved 'Good' judgment.”
Listed below are further comments made by inspectors following the recent Ofsted inspection:
- The school’s motto encourages pupils to take ‘PRIDE in learning together’. Pupils have good attitudes to learning in lessons. They talk about how they ‘persevere’ with their work and show ‘resilience’ when it is challenging. They try hard to be ‘independent’ and ignore ‘distractions’. They ‘explain’ their learning with great enthusiasm. Pupils are proud to complete pledges that demonstrate these values.
- Staff know pupils well and are supportive role models. They help pupils who find managing their behaviour difficult to regulate their emotions. This creates a calm and orderly environment for pupils to learn in.
- The school continually emphasises the importance of attending school regularly. The attendance leaderboard and class certificates show that this is widely understood.
- The school has worked hard on developing an ambitious curriculum. It has clearly defined the important knowledge that pupils need to learn. The curriculum is carefully planned in all subjects.
- Teachers deliver the curriculum through engaging lessons. They explain new content clearly, while building on what pupils learned before. In science, for example, lessons start with an exploratory question to check what pupils already know about the focus of the lesson. Teachers question well and sensitively address any misconceptions. They provide interesting activities, along with helpful resources. Pupils’ increasing knowledge is evident in their well-presented work. They can explain what they have learned in some depth in most subjects.
- Staff help children understand and use complex words, such as ‘digit’ or ‘position’. Staff encourage them to pursue their ideas in creative ways. Children soon learn all the school routines. They look after the toys and equipment. Children talk confidently about their learning. They explain how to play safely on the big equipment outside.
- Learning to read well is at the forefront of the curriculum. Phonics is well taught. Pupils quickly learn all the sounds. They get extra help from expertly trained staff if they fall behind. They develop fluency through regular practice of reading books at the right level of difficulty. Pupils love reading and listening to stories. Each class has enjoyed spending its allocated budget on developing attractive reading areas. The school has invested in many lovely books that help to broaden pupils’ knowledge of the world and of different cultures.
- Since joining the trust, [the school has] the right challenge and support.
- Staff speak highly of the focus on their professional development.