School shines like a star in Ofsted inspection

An 'inclusive school where all pupils are genuinely welcome' has been praised by Ofsted.

Inspectors visited Stow Heath Primary School earlier this year and, in their report published recently, concluded that it continues to be a 'Good' school.

They found that leaders have high expectations of pupils, including those with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND), and that the school motto, Shine Like a Star, 'weaves flawlessly into everyday classroom practice'.

Staff care about the children and know them well. Behaviour is 'calm and settled', with pupils treating one another with respect and knowing that leaders will respond to any reported incidents and take effective action. There is a strong safeguarding culture across the school and pastoral support and mental health support 'are strengths', meaning 'pupils feel safe and secure'.

The school's new senior leadership team is 'effective' and have brought in a number of new strategies which is improving the quality of education within the school.

Leaders have implemented a 'well-structured and sequenced curriculum' which is designed to ensure that pupils regularly revisit important learning. Subject-specific content is taught well, and pupils remember more because of this, while reading is a 'clear priority', with staff well trained and supported to teach phonics.

Routines and expectations start in the early years, which is well organised, with a curriculum 'carefully planned according to the needs of the children'. As a result, as pupils move through the school, inspectors found they are well prepared for the next stage in their education.

Stow Heath is 'very inclusive'; leaders have created an additional provision to support pupils with SEND and are working with the City of Wolverhampton Council to increase funding to support more children with additional needs at the school.

Pupils with SEND 'do well' at Stow Heath, which quickly and accurately identifies their needs. Leaders 'work well' with teachers, parents, carers and external professionals to check how well pupils learn and, as a result, 'pupils with SEND do not miss out on any part of their learning'.

Leaders make sure there is a wide range of experiences for all pupils, ensuring no one is left out – including trips out into the local community and ‘Wonderful Wednesday’ clubs which enable children to develop their wider interests, such as sewing, mindfulness, art and cooking. Pupils also enjoy taking on extra responsibilities, such as representing others as a member of the school council. Older pupils 'are responsible role models'.

Meanwhile, governors 'know the school well and are ambitious for its future', and leaders think about staff needs when they make decisions about the school.

Headteacher Lisa Scoffham said: “The report is immensely positive and reflects the hard work and progress we have made as a school since our last inspection in 2017.

“Everyone at Stow Heath Primary School is passionate about making our school exceptional for all our pupils and I am grateful to the staff, pupils, parents and governors who have supported us. This is a fantastic achievement for everyone in our school community and is something to be hugely proud of.”

Councillor Chris Burden, the council's Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Education, said: "This is a strong report for Stow Heath Primary School, highlighting the good quality of education it provides to its children.

"It's great to hear the school – and all its pupils – are living up to its motto, and shining like a star."

Stow Heath pupils join Councillor Chris Burden, Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Education and the school's Deputy Headteacher Emma Nicholls, Early Years Assistant Helen Bunce, SENCO Janet Raju, Assistant Head Early Years Lauren Davis and Headteacher Lisa Scoffham to celebrate their Good Ofsted rating.