'A big school with a big heart' - delight for Short Wood Primary School in Wellington after glowing Ofsted report

Inspectors from the education watchdog visited Short Wood Primary School on January 7 and 8, and have concluded that the school has maintained its 'Good' standards since a previous inspection.

In a report published on February 7, pupils have been described as happy, well-behaved, and eager to learn.

Ofsted have commended the school for its work to celebrate different cultures and for encouraging pupils to 'celebrate diversity', 'embrace change' and 'choose respect'.

The report said: "As a result, this school is a caring and inclusive community. It helps pupils to flourish inside and outside of lessons so that they are ready for their next stage."

Pupils are known as 'Short Woodies' and enjoy spending time with the school's therapy dog, Pippin. 

Inspectors also praised the school's 'Short Wood Shares' programme which supports the local community providing food, toys, household goods and recycled uniform, free of charge.

Gail Butele has been headteacher at the primary school for two and a half years now, and is extremely proud of her staff and pupils. 

She said: "I was really pleased with the report because I feel that it reflects the hard work energy that our community puts into the school.

"I think it highlighted our pupils, who we call 'Short Woodies', and how brilliant they are, how engaged they are in their learning, and enjoy the range of opportunities that we put on.

"We are really lucky because we have a beautifully diverse school with a whole range of people from different cultural, religious, and social backgrounds. We have a whole range in our community which is reflected in the school.

"We talk to the children a lot about respect, about celebrating that diversity, and embracing the challenges that are presented to them.

"They really enjoy the opportunities that staff put on for them, often they are above and beyond what is expected in the national curriculum and we couldn't do that without the goodwill of staff. The pupils do really live up to expectations and they enjoy being here.

"We have worked really hard to establish a really exciting curriculum, but also to support the staff in making sure that they can do the best job that they do, and they really do. Everybody shows commitment to the school and works hard as a team." 

Short Wood Primary School boasts a whopping 568 pupils on its school roll - aged between three and 11.

The school has been praised for preparing children for life and for teaching them how to stay safe and keep healthy.

Inspectors also said the Wellington primary school "expects all pupils to learn its ambitious curriculum" and praised the school for 'working hard' to "identify what pupils should learn in each subject and by when".

The report said: "Pupils are happy at this large and friendly school. They feel safe and most attend well. Pupils speak about the school and their experiences with enthusiasm. 

"The school expects all pupils to aim high in lessons, whatever their background. These high expectations, and support and encouragement from staff, help pupils to learn well. 

"Pupils behave very well in school. They show impressive care and concern for each other. Pupils know what to do if they encounter any unkind behaviour, which is usually sorted out quickly by staff.

"Parents and carers are very happy with the school. They say it is ‘a big school with a big heart’. Nearly all parents would recommend the school to others." 

The full report can be read here.