As you are aware, our school was inspected on the 29th and 30th November 2016. We have now received the full report and are now able to share it with you as parents and carers. A full copy of the report is on our school website under the 'Key Information' and 'Parents' tab , alternatively, you may request a paper copy from the school office.

The school’s overall effectiveness has again been judged as ‘Requires improvement’, however, it is particularly pleasing that pupils’ personal development, behaviour and welfare were judged as ‘Good’. The grades that can be awarded are ‘Outstanding’, ‘Good’, ‘Requires Improvement’ or ‘Inadequate’. The term ‘Requires Improvement’ replaced the previous grading of ‘Satisfactory’ in the new OfSTED framework. Previously, in July 2014, the school was judged as ‘Requires improvement’.

It is obviously disappointing that the overall outcome of the inspection judged the school to continue to ‘require improvement’, however, it is pleasing that the inspectors recognised the progress that has been made since the previous inspection and that the school has the capacity and capability to improve further. It must be said that all staff and governors are committed to providing the very best education for the children of Weddington Primary School.

Some of the particular strengths that were identified included that, “By the end of Year 6, pupils achieve well in reading, mathematics and the key skills of grammar, punctuation and spelling”, “Pupils say they feel happy, safe and well looked after in school”, “ Pupils behave well”, “The largely new governing body has quickly ‘gelled’ into an effective team. New governors have a wealth of educational experience which they use to benefit the school. They have an accurate understanding of what is wrong with the school and how to fix it”.

However, the inspectors identified some areas where we need to improve further, these include:

• To continue to raise standards in teaching and learning to ensure greater consistency;

• To improve the teaching and learning of Phonics

• To raise the standard of writing, particularly of boys

• For leaders to evaluate the impact of pupil premium spending more closely to better inform spending decisions and ensure all pupils, including the most able disadvantaged, benefit

• To ensure that assessments of pupils’ progress are used rigorously to check all pupils are on track to make at least good progress

With the publication of the report, now is the time to look forward and work together to continue to address the areas for development which had already been identified by the school. This will ensure that all the children of Weddington Primary School receive the high quality education that they deserve; allowing them to fully achieve in a safe and caring environment where everyone is valued and enjoys learning.

Our governing body would like to give you, as parents and carers, the opportunity to discuss the inspection report with them and therefore they have arranged an open parents’ meeting on Thursday 19^th January at 7pm. We look forward to having the opportunity to discuss the report further with you at this time.