Wynstream Primary is ‘outstanding’ in every respect

Pupils at Wynstream Primary display exemplary attitudes to lessons and make excellent progress because of the outstanding climate for learning throughout the school, according to education inspectors.

And in a remarkable accolade, they say every aspect of life at Wynstream is now outstanding.

Six years ago the Wonford school was judged as inadequate and just 18 months ago it was classed as satisfactory.

Now inspectors say Wynstream is delivering an outstanding education for its pupils with every element of school life deserving of their highest possible rating.

They say pupils’ achievement, the quality of teaching, the leadership and management of the school and pupils’ behaviour and safety are all outstanding.

And now Wynstream could become the first school in Exeter to be designated a Teaching School by the National College for School Leadership.

That means it would be a beacon of good practice with other schools and teachers learning from Wynstream staff.

Wynstream’s dramatic improvement has come at a time when school inspectors have been getting tougher with their judgements.

“The pursuit of excellence is central to the work of the school,” say the inspectors.

“Senior leaders, governors and all members of staff are highly ambitious and professional in their determination to help pupils achieve their full potential.

”The school provides pupils with an exceptionally caring and nurturing environment.”

And that has been recognised by parents who are increasingly choosing Wynstream.

Pupil numbers have risen from 297 in 2010 to 348 today and the school’s Foundation Stage is over-subscribed.

The inspectors say the parents they spoke to believed their children were making better than expected progress and achieving well throughout the school.

Three inspectors from the school standards agency, Ofsted, spent two days at Wynstream last month and their report has just been published.

Lead inspector Mark Anderson says many children start school with skills and knowledge significantly below that expected for their age.

But the school’s federation with the Chestnut Nursery School and the quality of the Early Years Foundation Stage means the children have a very secure start to school life.

By Year 1 they are achieving well in all areas having made outstanding progress.

“This outstanding progress is continued in both Key Stages 1 and 2,” says Mr Anderson.

“Teaching is outstanding. As a result, all pupils – and particularly those with special educational needs – make excellent progress in both their academic and personal development.

“The vibrant curriculum… is exceptionally well matched to pupils needs and provides them with a wide range of learning opportunities and experiences, including numerous exciting visits, clubs and activities.

“Central to establishing an outstanding climate for learning throughout the school has been the uniformly high expectations that all staff have of their children’s behaviour and learning.

“Pupils’ attitudes to learning are exemplary. The outstanding behaviour around school and in lessons is a key factor in ensuring all pupils make good progress in all year groups.

“Relationships are a real strength. Pupils feel very safe and respect the staff, themselves and each other.”

Mr Anderson says headteacher Tracy Hannon, her senior leaders and the governors have all displayed determined and resolute leadership over a sustained period which has resulted in the pupils’ excellent progress.

“The head, and assosciate head Sarah Tomkinson, have a clear vision for continuing to raise the achievement of the pupils and popularity of the school,” he says.

And the only area which Mr Anderson says the school can improve is to ensure the most able pupils are consistently challenged to achieve the highest levels of attainment.

Mrs Hannon said today: “We are all naturally delighted and very proud of the report.

“This has been achieved through a real partnership between the school, the staff, the children and their families all subscribing to our ethos and ambition of aiming higher and achieving more.

”We will be applying to become a Teaching School in September because we believe we have a duty and a responsibility to share what we have achieved and to reflect a culture of continuing self-improvement.

“It is also important to develop tomorrow’s school leaders. Nearly half our teaching staff are in the first or second years of their careers and we have trained them here.

“And, most importantly, if our teachers are passing on their skills to colleagues in the classroom then our children will be enjoying the best possible teaching day in and day out.”