A Good rated Wolverhampton school is continuing to improve strongly, according to Ofsted.

Inspector Mark Sims visited West Park Primary School earlier this year, and found "strong practice in certain areas" which "may indicate it is improving towards being outstanding".

He said that since Briony Jones became headteacher shortly after its last inspection in April 2014 "the school has continued to improve strongly", with the leadership team "maintaining the good quality of education" in that time.

Rigorous monitoring and support has ensured a "high quality of teaching in almost all year groups", and pupils' outcomes have "significantly improved over time so that, by the end of Key Stage 2, they have made very rapid progress in reading and writing and rapid progress in mathematics". Outcomes for pupils across both Key Stages 1 and 2 are "strong and continue to improve".

Ms Jones has "ensured there is an ethos in the school that is built on respect for all and which celebrates diversity". She has successfully engaged staff, while parents and carers "are very engaged in the life of the school and in supporting their children's learning".

Governors are "highly knowledgeable and very committed to the school", and use the information they receive "very well to support, challenge and question leaders". Safeguarding is effective, with a "strong culture of ensuring that pupils are kept safe", both in school and out of school. Senior leaders "are highly committed to their safeguarding roles".

Ms Jones said she was thrilled that the hard work of staff, pupils, parents and governors had been recognised by Ofsted. "At West Park, we want to give all the children the very best opportunities so they can be the best they can be," she said. "We work in close partnership with families and provide a rich and exciting curriculum to enthuse children about learning."

She said the school was going from strength to strength, including great successes in sporting achievements and recently becoming a School of Sanctuary which embeds one of West Park's core values - respect.

Councillor Claire Darke, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for Education, said: "It is great to receive yet another very positive inspection report, and one which suggests West Park Primary School is on track to become an Outstanding school in the not too distant future.

"I would like to congratulate Briony Jones and everyone connected with West Park Primary School on their achievements and thank them for their hard work on behalf of our City's children."

The inspection of West Park Primary was the first since the school was judged to be Good in 2014.

More schools in Wolverhampton are now rated Good or Outstanding by Ofsted than ever before. To find out more about education in the City, please visit Type=articles;Articleid=435;Title=Education & schools;.

  • released: Friday 9 March, 2018