We hope that everyone enjoys our end of year celebration video. Thank you to Mrs Morris for putting this together for us.
Waycroft Academy’s Year 2 pupils have been engaging in an exciting exploration of geography, focusing on human behaviour and its impact on the environment.
Through a series of interactive and educational lessons, young geographers have been developing a deeper understanding of how our actions affect the world around us.
As part of their studies, the pupils read My Colourful Chameleon and were inspired to think creatively about where their chameleons might hide. They engaged in a hands-on activity, making rubbings to capture the textures of various surfaces.
The children carefully matched the colours and shapes to copy the unique camouflage abilities of chameleons, demonstrating both their artistic skills and their understanding of environmental adaptation.
Adam Smith, Principal of Waycroft Academy, said: “Waycroft Academy is committed to providing an enriching educational experience that encourages our pupils to think critically about the world they live in.”
Recent improvements to teaching and curriculum at Bristol’s Waycroft Academy have had a ‘huge impact’, according to Ofsted inspectors, who say the school is now ‘Good’ in all areas.
The primary school – located in Stockwood – offers a ‘calm and purposeful’ learning environment where children are ‘supported with kindness and understanding’, inspectors said.
Ofsted’s glowing endorsement follows a two-day visit from an inspection team, who met leaders from Waycroft and theschool’s multi-academy trust the Cabot Learning Federation, spoke to staff, parents and pupils, and carried out a ‘deep dive’ into teaching and curriculum.
In his report, lead inspector Gavin Summerfield praised Waycroft’s ‘ambitious’ and ‘well-planned’ curriculum, ‘effective’ safeguarding, and the ‘warm and nurturing relationships’ established with early years pupils and those with special educational needs.
On behaviour, his report said: “Pupils work hard in the classroom and participate in lessons with enthusiasm. Pupils learn in a calm and purposeful way.
“The school values of ‘Ready, Respectful and Resilient’ are understood by all. Pupils behave well around the school and live up to the high expectations set by staff.”
On teaching, it said: “The quality of education has improved greatly since the previous inspection and is now in line with the strong pastoral support that pupils receive.
“The school has reflected on the 2023 published pupil outcomes and has prioritised the curriculum. There has been huge impact.”
On wellbeing, it said: “Pupil leadership opportunities such as the school tech team or school council let pupils play an active part in improving the school. Members of the pupil-led wellbeing team welcome other pupils into school and support the mental health of their peers.
“The selection process for these roles is designed to help pupils to understand the importance of democracy and prepare them for life in modern Britain.”
On personal development, it said: “The rich and varied curriculum for personal development is a strength.
“Older pupils show a mature understanding of healthy relationships, power imbalance and discuss important and relevant issues such as the impact of social media on body image. High-quality pastoral support helps pupils manage and understand their feelings.
“Trips and visits are deliberately planned, enhancing many areas of the curriculum.
And on leadership, it added: “The school has recently joined a new multi-academy trust. The expertise and experience available in the trust has supported the school to strengthen its curriculum and provide the right level of challenge and support to school leaders.
“Staff are well supported by leaders who are considerate of their workload and wellbeing. As a result, staff support each other well, there is a strong team ethos and they are proud to work at the school.”
Adam Smith, Headteacher at Waycroft Academy, said:
“Throughout the inspection we were incredibly proud of our children, and of their behaviour, attitudes and understanding of our school values.
“Staff are obviously delighted our school was judged as ‘Good’ in all areas, as it reflects the dedication and hard work that has gone into making improvements since the previous inspection in 2021.
“We are especially pleased with the inspectors’ commendation of our strong team ethos and the way our staff are proud to work at the school, support each other and support the children. It is fitting recognition of our efforts to provide the very best education that we can.”
BBC Radio Bristol’s Joe Sims came back to Waycroft to cash in his winning golden ticket and sample the school meals.
He had a fantastic time sampling the meals and talking with the staff and children. Listen to his interview below.
On Wednesday 6th March, we welcomed Joe Sims from BBC Radio Bristol to Waycroft to discuss the importance of promoting reading for pleasure linked to World Book Day and our very own ‘Waycroft Bars’. Listen to him speaking to Mr Smith, Mrs Sweet and some of the children below.
Interview one
Interview two
Interview three
Waycroft Academy in Bristol has embarked upon a new chapter in the school’s history by becoming part of the Cabot Learning Federation.
Waycroft – alongside sister primary schools Wicklea and Woodlands Academies – has transferred to the CLF from the former Waycroft Multi-Academy Trust.
The decision to join follows extensive due diligence by school and trust leaders to ensure a close values match and shared ambitions.
This new era of collaboration and partnership was celebrated as the transfer become official this week, with CLF CEO Steve Taylor and Education Director Susie Weaver visiting Waycroft to speak with staff and meet pupils, including Year 6 House Captains, who posted a range of challenging key questions to the CLF leaders.
School and trust leaders spoke of the significance of the move and the benefits it will bring for colleagues and students.
Adam Smith, Headteacher at Waycroft Academy, said: “We are delighted to have joined CLF today and it was wonderful to welcome Steve and Susie to Waycroft Academy to meet our Year 6 House Captains.
“All our stakeholders are looking forward to the opportunities that working within the CLF family will provide.”
Education Director Susie Weaver said: “It was a real privilege to meet Headteachers and their teams, meet with children, pupil leaders and have time to start to make and develop relationships with a range of people.
“My thanks go to you all for all the efforts made to make the visits such a success and for all the planned next steps too, over the coming weeks and months. It is really good to welcome you into our family of schools.”
The transfer of Waycroft, Wicklea and Woodlands schools – as well as Queen Margaret Primary Academy in Tewkesbury – concludes a period of rapid CLF growth which has seen the trust grow from 22 to 35 schools in the past eight months.
Waycroft Academy is holding a SPOTacular dress down day this Friday in support of this year’s Children In Need appeal.
We are holding this event as a cashless fundraiser this year so would ask those to donate via the Just Giving page below.
We look forward to seeing all the children and staff on Friday in their SPOTacular clothing.
If so we are offering tours of our school on selected dates. Please book your tour using the link in the poster below.
