Spalding school that ‘celebrates and champions diversity’ praised for ‘outstanding’ attitudes and personal development… Wygate Park Academy impresses OFSTED inspectors

A school has been praised for promoting ‘outstanding’ attitudes and personal development.

A ‘deep respect for people’s differences’ and the ‘championing of diversity’ were also highlighted at Wygate Park Academy.

A recent OFSTED inspection of the Spalding school also rated the quality of education, leadership and management and early years provision as ‘good’.

“The pupils at Wygate Park Academy learn that there are no outsiders,” the report, following an inspection in February, said.

“They have a deep respect for people’s differences. They celebrate and champion diversity.

“Pupils say ‘we are taught to be kind to everybody’ and ‘we want everyone to feel welcome here’.

“They describe their school as warm and inclusive. Pupils feel safe and valued in such a nurturing environment.”

The report also stated Wygate Park has ‘great aspirations for all its pupils’.

“Year after year, pupils’ achievements in reading, writing and mathematics reflect these high expectations,” it continued.

“Such impressive outcomes are the product of a curriculum that is tailored carefully to meet pupils’ needs.

“Given the high proportion of pupils who speak English as an additional language (EAL), the school has a sharp focus on language development and building pupils’ vocabularies.

“Pupils’ exemplary conduct is a tribute to the school’s first-rate character education. Pupils behave impeccably.”

Inspectors also found that the school’s curriculum is ambitious and well-structured’ and that ‘teachers adapt learning well so that pupils with SEND can access the curriculum and succeed’.

The report also highlighted areas where the school could improve.

“In some foundation subjects, staff do not revise and consolidate the most important prior learning as systematically as they could,” it said.

“As a result, some pupils do not remember crucial curriculum content well enough. At times, pupils remember the activities they have completed rather than the underpinning knowledge that they need to use again.

“The school should refine its approach to the retention of important knowledge so that pupils understand and remember key learning securely over time.

“At times, staff do not check closely enough on some pupils’ understanding in lessons. Staff sometimes miss pupils’ errors, leaving pupils misinformed.

“Consequently, some pupils do not move forward with their learning as well as they could.”

Wygate Park, part of the Voyage Education Partnership multi-academy trust, has 286 pupils aged between four and 11 on the roll.