Waddington All Saints pupils flourish in a welcoming and inclusive environment

Pupils at Waddington All Saints Academy in Lincoln are ‘proud to attend’ a school where they are ‘respected and valued as unique individuals’, according to a glowing Ofsted inspection report.

Inspectors praised the unwavering ambition staff at the school hold for every child, noting that its inspiring motto – “If they have wings, why make them walk?” – is truly lived out in the day-to-day experience of pupils.

Strong praise has been given to the primary school’s ‘ambitious’ and carefully thought-out curriculum, which ‘captures pupils’ interests and meets their learning needs’. It is ‘delivered with skill’ by staff.

Other key highlights from the report include:

• Pupils across the Waddington All Saints are ‘confident, motivated learners’ who ‘embody the school’s core values of respect, kindness, determination, ambition and enthusiasm consistently’. Behaviour is ‘exemplary’.
• Reading is ‘at the heart of the school’s curriculum’. A ‘wide range of additional activities’ are organised to develop pupils’ love of reading. ‘Careful checks’ rapidly identify those who may need support to catch up. The school’s ‘reading drive’ programme helps pupils to become fluent, confident readers. As a result of ‘expert teaching’, the children ‘experience rich, inspiring range of texts’.
• The curriculum content is ‘adapted well’ so pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) ‘can make good progress alongside their classmates’. The school ‘identifies the needs of pupils with SEND quickly’.
• Waddington All Saints’ early years curriculum ‘supports children in becoming independent, resilient, knowledgeable learners’.
• The school provides high-quality pastoral support to pupils, and there is a ‘very strong focus on building pupils’ character, resilience and well-being’.
• The school provides ‘an exceptional offer of wider opportunities’ to pupils, including educational trips and ‘meaningful roles’ such as pupil parliament representatives.
• Staff at Waddington All Saints ‘benefit from high-quality training that improves their teaching and supports their well-being’. They ‘feel valued and well supported’.
• Trustees, governors, leaders and staff ‘work together to uphold the school’s vision and values consistently’. The school, supported by L.E.A.D. Academy Trust, ensures ‘whole-school priorities are addressed quickly and with confidence’. The ‘drive and ambition for all’ is ‘consistent across the school’, and ‘everyone is committed to pupils’ success’.