Dear Parents and Carers,

I am delighted to share the outcome of the recent Ofsted inspection of Great Wilbraham CofE Primary Academy.

This report marks a significant milestone in the school's journey and recognises the hard work, resilience and commitment shown by staff, governors, trustees, parents and pupils over recent years. Ofsted confirmed that Attendance and Behaviour, Inclusion, and Leadership and Governance are all operating at the Expected Standard, identified Personal Development and Wellbeing as a Strong Standard, and confirmed that safeguarding standards are met. Inspectors recognised a school where pupils feel safe, attend well, enjoy learning and benefit from a rich range of opportunities beyond the classroom.

To fully appreciate what this means, it is important to reflect on how far the school has come.

Prior to joining ACT Academy Trust in September 2023, the school had experienced a period of considerable challenge. The previous inspection judged the school to be Inadequate across every area and found that safeguarding arrangements were not effective. The school was placed into Special Measures because inspectors concluded that leadership and governance were not demonstrating the capacity to secure the improvements required.

When Great Wilbraham CofE Primary Academy joined ACT, we knew there was a great deal of work ahead, but we also recognised the many strengths within the school community: dedicated staff, supportive families and wonderful children who deserved the very best opportunities.

Over the past three years, staff, governors, trustees, trust leaders and parents have worked together to strengthen every aspect of the school. To move from a position where Ofsted identified widespread weaknesses, including ineffective safeguarding, to a school now recognised for its effective safeguarding, strong personal development provision, inclusive ethos and caring culture is a significant achievement and one that should be celebrated.

Inspectors praised the school's ambitious personal development programme, extensive enrichment opportunities and commitment to inclusion. They highlighted the breadth of opportunities available to pupils, from leadership responsibilities and educational visits to sporting, musical and enrichment activities. They also recognised the respectful culture within the school and the positive relationships that underpin daily life at Great Wilbraham.

 

Like all successful schools, we remain ambitious for further improvement. Ofsted identified areas where greater consistency is needed in teaching, assessment and curriculum implementation. Importantly, inspectors also recognised that leaders have already identified these priorities and are taking the right actions to address them.

It is also worth explaining what the "Needs Attention" judgements mean within Ofsted's new framework. These judgements are much more like an advisory note on an MOT than a failure. The school has not been judged to have serious weaknesses, and it has not been judged inadequate. Instead, inspectors have identified areas where improvement work should continue so that the school can become even stronger. The report recognises a school that is moving in the right direction and sets out the next steps on that journey.

I would like to pay particular tribute to John Turner and the entire staff team. Transforming a school from a position where every area was judged inadequate and safeguarding was found to be ineffective is no small achievement. John and his colleagues have led the school through a period of significant change while always keeping pupils at the heart of every decision. Their dedication, professionalism and belief in the potential of every child shine through this report, and they should be immensely proud of what they have achieved.

I would also like to thank our governors and trustees for their support and challenge. Most importantly, I would like to thank you, our parents and carers. School improvement is never achieved by staff alone. Your trust, encouragement and partnership have played a vital role in helping the school move forward, and inspectors themselves recognised the strong relationships between families and the school.

There is so much to celebrate in this report. Three years ago, the school faced significant challenges and was in Special Measures. Today, Ofsted recognises a school where safeguarding is effective, where Attendance and Behaviour, Inclusion, and Leadership and Governance meet the Expected Standard, and where Personal Development and Wellbeing is a particular strength. Most importantly, it recognises a school where children are safe, happy, well cared for and proud to belong.

This is not the end of the journey, but it is an important milestone and one that everyone connected with Great Wilbraham CofE Primary Academy should feel enormously proud of. I certainly am.

Thank you for your continued support, trust and encouragement. Together, we have achieved something significant, and together we will continue building an even stronger future for every child.

Yours faithfully,

Alison Anderson

Chief Executive Officer ACT Academy Trust