Previously closure-threatened Wroxall Primary School has been awarded 5 ‘good’ grades by Ofsted after navigating a “challenging year”.
In a significant turnaround from its last ‘requires improvement’ inspection in 2022, Wroxall Primary School is now rated good across its quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management and early years provision.
The school was last year earmarked for closure as part of Isle of Wight Council plans to reduce surplus pupil places.
In March, an Alliance group cabinet rowed back on the closure proposal after a determined campaign to save the primary, described by former ward councillor Rodney Downer as a “big team effort”.
Following an inspection at the beginning of July, Ofsted inspectors praised the school’s ‘high’ expectations and ambitions for pupils’ behaviour and academic outcomes, noting ‘many pupils achieve well across the curriculum’ and ‘enjoy their learning’.
They said:
“Since the last inspection, the school has been through turbulent times, including a consultation about school places. Recent changes have brought more stability and instilled an unrelenting focus on securing improvements.
“Teachers have the subject knowledge they need to teach the curriculum well. They ensure that pupils have access to resources that support their learning, including pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).
Article continues below this advertisement “Pupils enthuse about their opportunities to participate in residential trips. These incorporate cultural, social and outdoor activities on the Island and in London.”
Ofsted did note however that in ‘some foundation subjects’ Wroxall Primary has not ‘established effective systems’ to ascertain how well pupils learn the curriculum.
Identifying how it could further improve, Ofsted said it should ‘strengthen subject leadership’ and ensure effective systems are in place to assess the impact of its curriculum, allowing ‘further improvements in learning’.
Headteacher Tara Hopkinson said:
“We are so proud to share that our most recent Ofsted report was graded good in all areas.
“We are pleased that it recognised the unrelenting focus we have on securing improvements, our ambitious curriculum and how our ‘happiness heroes’ promote kindness and empathy.
“Last year was a challenging year for Wroxall, and to end it with such a positive inspection outcome was most welcome and will set us up for an even greater year ahead.
“We would like to thank our children for being so wonderful in every way and as our report details, living up to our high standards by always being hardworking, polite and kind.
“Our wonderful staff team have shown unwavering support, commitment and determination to continue to raise standards for all children.”
Ms Hopkinson added there is a “mighty future” ahead of the “small village school” at the “heart of the community”.
Wroxall Primary School’s governing body said:
“Wroxall Primary School Governing Body are delighted at the outcome of the recent Ofsted inspection.
“Ofsted inspectors rightly identified the pride the local community has in our welcoming and friendly school. Governors are particularly pleased to see Ofsted recognised that even as a small rural school, it provides a number of enriching opportunities for pupils that extend their experiences.
“This is alongside the strength of the curriculum and the whole team’s high ambitions for all its pupils who celebrate a joy in achieving.
“Governors are fiercely proud of the headteacher, staff, children and whole school community who have continued to focus relentlessly on school improvement, throughout what has been a difficult year for the school.”
