Wetheringsett Church of England Primary School, near Stowmarket, is ‘delighted’ with praise by Ofsted

One of the county’s smallest schools has received a shining Ofsted report, recognising that school life is ‘back on track’ following significant flooding.

Wetheringsett Church of England Primary School, in Wetheringsett, near Stowmarket, received an ungraded inspection last month and was found to have maintained the standards identified at the previous inspection.

The school, which has 39 pupils on roll and is part of the St Edmundsbury and Ipswich Diocesan Multi-Academy Trust (DMAT), was graded good in 2019, before it became an academy.

In praise for the school, the inspector described it as a ‘caring and nurturing community’ and commended its outdoor learning and forest school activities and ‘interesting and well-thought-out curriculum’.

The report also recognised that ‘the full benefits of school life for its pupils are back on track’ following a ‘significant’ flood that caused disruption.

The school was flooded in May, caused by a blocked Victorian drain on site, so the children were in temporary units, and at the nearby village hall, for the rest of the summer term, the trust said.

It was all fixed by the start of the autumn term and school has been running as normal since.

In further praise for the school, the inspector noted children behave ‘exceptionally well’ and ‘live up to the school’s values and high expectations’.

The report said: “Pupils love being part of his small, welcoming school. As one pupil accurately noted, this is a ‘small school that does big things’.”

The report said leaders ensured the small nature of the school was ‘an asset and not a barrier’ to pupils receiving a high-quality curriculum.

“Pupils access a range of exciting trips, clubs and sporting activities,” the report added. “Pupils’ faces light up when they talk about their outdoor learning in the forest school.

“Whether baking bread on the fire, exploring nature or weaving traditional fences, pupils build on their classroom learning or do something different.”

Ofsted said the school’s support for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) was a further strength, adding that these pupils are ‘fully included in school life’.

Executive headteacher Imogen Wallis said: “We are delighted to have received such a positive Ofsted report, we are very proud of our school.

“This school is very special as our forest school provisions run right through the curriculum.

“We have biology and design technology lessons in the forest school, children cook around the fire and use nature to inspire their artwork.

“The forest school positively impacts the children’s wellbeing and they develop an awe for nature and the outdoors.”

Tracey Caffull, CEO of DMAT, said: “We are so proud of Wetheringsett CofE Primary School and their incredible Ofsted inspection.

“The staff and pupils work so hard to make the school such a wonderful place for children to learn.

“The school is a shining example of the trust’s vision, to raise attainment of pupils in a nurturing environment while reflecting and caring for the communities they serve.”

As an area for improvement, Ofsted mentioned that a very small number of curriculum subjects need further refinement to ensure that the key knowledge pupils need to learn is highlighted and thought out in a logical order.