Ofsted inspectors praise improved Sheffield primary school with '˜good' report

A Sheffield primary school previously requiring improvement has now been judged '˜good' by Ofsted inspectors.
Westways Primary School are celebrating a good Ofsted report. Executive Headteacher Sam Fearnehough is pictured celebrating with pupils.Westways Primary School are celebrating a good Ofsted report. Executive Headteacher Sam Fearnehough is pictured celebrating with pupils.
Westways Primary School are celebrating a good Ofsted report. Executive Headteacher Sam Fearnehough is pictured celebrating with pupils.

Westways Primary School in Crookes, underwent a period of turbulence after the previous inspection by education watchdog Ofsted, who found the school required improvement in two consecutive visits.

But, the school say they have now had their reputation restored, after receiving a 'good' Ofsted report, which showed improvement in all aspects with a good quality of teaching and a broad and balanced curriculum.

Westways Primary School are celebrating a good Ofsted report. Executive Headteacher Sam Fearnehough is pictured celebrating with pupils.Westways Primary School are celebrating a good Ofsted report. Executive Headteacher Sam Fearnehough is pictured celebrating with pupils.
Westways Primary School are celebrating a good Ofsted report. Executive Headteacher Sam Fearnehough is pictured celebrating with pupils.
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Inspectors said Sam Fearnehough, who was appointed as executive headteacher in September 2017, had '˜raised expectations' of what pupils should and can achieve and as a result pupils' outcomes have improved.

They also found that pupils' attendance had '˜improved', and that the proportion of children in the early years achieving a good level of development was above the national average.

Mrs Fearnehough said the achievement was '˜quite momentous' for the school after the two 'requires improvement' Ofsted reports since 2014.

She added: 'Everyone here is thrilled that Westways now has it's reputation restored as a good school.

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'It's thanks to the commitment of dedicated staff who love working at Westways and a determined effort to improve the quality of teaching and learning for all our children.

'As a former pupil of the school myself, I am delighted to have been able to help the school that shaped my life and gave me a wonderful start to my own education.

'We are not complacent and are already working on the points for development mentioned in our report as part of our drive for continual improvement.

'This is an outward facing school that works collaboratively and we are all very much looking forward to continuing with our journey.'

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Inspectors described pupils as '˜polite', saying they showed respect to and tolerance of those of different faiths and cultures and found teachers had a '˜good subject knowledge'. 

The school's leadership team was also praised for supporting staff through professional development which Inspectors say is '˜having a positive effect on improving good quality teaching'. 

Inspectors recognised progress had been made by pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities.

But, despite improvements, they said the leadership of this has not been consistently effective.  

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It was also found that leaders do not consistently analyse behaviour trends which in turn could improve pupils' conduct and attitude to learning.

And, inpsectors said that although they work with external agencies to provide appropriate support for vulnerable students and their families records did not precisely reflect the action taken.

The school must now improve the effectiveness of leadership and management.

Further improvement is also needed in the quality of teaching, learning and assessment.

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