The headteacher of Willow Bank School in Newton-le-Willows has hailed the dedication of her team and reaffirmed the school’s commitment to putting pupils at the heart of everything it does, following the publication of a new Ofsted report.
The school, on Winwick Road, supports pupils with social, emotional and mental health needs, and every pupil who attends has an education, health and care (EHC) plan. Inspectors visited on Tuesday, 12 May, and the report was published on Wednesday, 24 June.
Inspectors awarded leadership and governance, inclusion, and personal development and wellbeing the expected standard – with the report highlighting strong pastoral support and praising how effectively staff identify pupils’ needs and get the right help in place quickly. The school’s PSHE programme, enrichment activities and practical life skills work were also noted positively.
The report paints a positive picture of day-to-day life for pupils at the school. Many arrive after experiencing disrupted education, and inspectors noted that staff work hard to help them settle quickly, building secure relationships so that pupils feel valued, supported and part of the community. This sense of security, the report says, helps many pupils improve their behaviour and manage their emotions more effectively. Bullying is rare, and when it does occur, leaders deal with it quickly. Beyond the classroom, pupils enjoy a wide range of activities, including the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, which helps build confidence, independence and leadership skills.
Three areas were graded as needing attention: achievement, attendance and behaviour, and curriculum and teaching. Inspectors identified writing skills – including spelling, punctuation, grammar and handwriting – as a particular challenge, and noted that teaching quality is not yet consistent across all classes and subjects, meaning gaps in pupils’ learning are not always addressed as effectively as they could be. Some pupils also continue to use unkind language at times, and the report notes that further work is needed to ensure improvements in this area last. Attendance, while still below where leaders want it to be, was noted as improving.
The report points to a school moving in a positive direction in a number of areas, with leaders and governors having successfully addressed a decline in the quality of education identified at the previous inspection, and improvements becoming more established.
Headteacher Nicola Laughton said: “This report reflects the determination and spirit of our school community.
“We are delighted that Ofsted recognised how our pupils feel valued, supported and safe, and we could not be prouder of the fantastic young people who attend Willow Bank.
“Our children are at the heart of everything we do, and their resilience, growth and achievements, alongside the support of their families and our staff, make Willow Bank a very special community.
“Thank you to our families for their continued trust and partnership, and to our staff whose dedication makes a difference every day. We are pleased that Ofsted has acknowledged the improvements already made and we remain fully focused on continuing this journey and strengthening the areas identified for further development.”
You can read the report in full here.