High expectations and happy pupils found at ‘Good’ St Werburgh’s Church of England Primary School

Children at St Werburgh’s Church of England Primary School, in Church Street, take outstanding personal development according to Government inspectors who described them as ‘well-mannered, polite and respectfully confident’.

Pupils were found to be ‘happy and safe’ at the Spondon school, following a visit from the Office for Standards in Education, which rated it ‘Good’ overall.

The 300 children, aged between four and 11 years old, benefit from an ‘ambitious and broad curriculum’ at the school which inspectors described as ‘inclusive and nurturing’.

The way in which staff help pupils to develop character was deemed to be ‘exemplary’ and supporting personal development was deemed a ‘strength of the school’.

The inspector’s report said: “Staff and pupils live out the Christian values harmoniously. There is a strong community feel to the school. Pupils know the rules of ‘be kind, be respectful and be safe’.

“This is evident in how pupils and staff interact with eac other. Pupils are proud of their school. As one pupil shared: ‘This is a fun school where you can feel free to be yourself’.”

The provision for pupils with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND) was found to strong, meaning the vast majority of these children are able to learn alongside their peers.

Pupils soon become fluent readers at St Werburgh’s which has prioritised reading and staff have high expectations of what children can achieve.

Head teacher Rachael Dean said: “We are unbelievably proud of this report which shows just how hard the school community, staff, pupils and parents have worked to make this a happy and successful school.

“We want St Werburgh’s to be an inclusive and nurturing place and I am so pleased the inspection team used these words at the very start of their report. We now look forward to continuing to strengthen the work of the school.”

The only recommendation to improve the school was that in some subjects there should be greater opportunities for deepening and strengthening learning.

The inspection was the first the school has undergone since joining Derby Diocesan Academy Trust in 2019.

CEO Sarah Clark said: “This is another school within the Derby Diocesan family that has impressed Government inspectors, and we are delighted for them.

“Thank you to our dedicated staff, our enthusiastic students, our supportive governors and our engaged parents and carers. Together, we are making a real difference.”