Willowdown Primary School in Bridgwater, Somerset, is showing remarkable improvements after previously receiving an Ofsted rating of “requires improvement” in 2023. At the time, the school, which educates 313 children aged two to 11, faced criticism for not consistently maintaining a positive and respectful culture. Issues such as disrupted learning due to poor behaviour and concerns about bullying were highlighted.
However, a recent letter from Ofsted inspector Liz Geller, dated October 15, reveals that Willowdown has been making significant strides in addressing these challenges. The school has restructured its leadership team, bolstering leadership capacity and enabling a more focused approach to enhancing the educational experience, particularly for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
Inspector Geller commended the collaborative efforts between the school and its trust, stating they have effectively targeted previously identified areas for improvement. The curriculum has undergone substantial revision, raising its level of ambition by clearly outlining essential knowledge and its teaching sequence. This structured approach allows pupils to build on previous learning more effectively.
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Despite these advances, the inspector emphasized the need for continued professional development to ensure consistent curriculum implementation across all subjects. Additionally, some pupils who have mastered foundational concepts are not yet consistently challenged with more complex material, which limits their achievement potential.
The letter also praised Willowdown for creating a calm and purposeful environment conducive to focused learning. Measures to reduce suspensions have been successful, and persistent efforts to improve attendance are showing positive results, although there is still work to be done.
Willowdown Primary School continues its commitment to transformation as it works toward providing a high-quality education for every pupil.