HAVING just received an outstanding Ofsted report in all areas, a Wokingham school is keen to shout its good news from the rooftops.
Walter Infant School and Nursery’s perfect score comes 12 years after its previous inspection grade, which was also outstanding.
“So many parents have said how pleased and proud they are,” said headteacher Judy Hargreaves.
“They’ve been coming up and hugging us,” agreed deputy head and wellbeing lead Stephanie Bell.
What is the secret of the school’s success?
Judy, Stephanie, and another very valued member of staff, Walter, took Wokingham.Today on a tour of Walter Infants and Nursery to find out.
Big jet black, cuddly Labradoodle Walter, is the school’s canine assisted learning dog.
“Walter belongs to the school, and is on site five days a week – he’s everyone’s best friend,” said Judy, who takes him home every evening, and is his ‘mum’.
“After lockdown our children had lost so much normality.
“They hadn’t been swimming, to the park, or to a party, and they were finding it hard to separate from their parents, and to socialise.
“They weren’t good at sharing, and they’d spent a lot of time in the virtual world, so the real world was very frightening for them.
“Many couldn’t event hold a pencil.”
Judy felt a school dog would be the perfect way to support them.
She introduced Walter, and gradually even the most fearful of the children have come to enjoy his daily presence.
“He was quite small when we got him – he was only expected to reach about 12 kilos,” Stephanie explained.
“We were told he was a miniature, but he grew and grew, and now he’s enormous – he weighs 34 kilos.
“We like to say he’s that big because he’s so loved.”
During the school tour, Walter put his nose around the door of every classroom, and was rewarded by embraces from the children wherever he went.
You might think having a dog in the classroom would cause chaos, but every room remained peaceful and calm
The school’s Oftsted report describes the children’s behaviour as ‘impeccable’ – and so it was on our visit.
Plenty of youngsters came over to enjoy a quick hello with Walter, but then happily gravitated back to classroom activities by themselves – remarkable considering that the school’s most senior pupils are just seven years old.
While it might be tempting to suppose this has something to do with Wokingham being a relatively wealthy borough, the reality is that many of the school’s pupils come with a range of diverse needs.
“Some of our children may indeed be millionaires, but others come from families experiencing real poverty,” said Judy.
And 32 different languages are spoken in the school, with 43% of pupils speaking English only as a second language.
“The inspectors were very impressed that there is no difference at all in the way our children present at school,” continued Judy.
“They recognised our passion for equity and fairness in their report.”
Inspectors also say that pupils find the school, and their teachers inspirational, and it’s not hard to see why – every classroom is a work of art.
Areas for play, learning, and quiet time, are marked with colourful displays, attractive decorations, and endless opportunities for playful engagement – even pencil pots are gorgeously labelled in rainbow colours.
And throughout the school there is a very strong sense of warmth and safety, in classrooms and corridors alike.
“It’s really important to us that all our children feel loved and safe here, especially when everything is so new to them,” said Judy.
“Our pupils come from a wide range of cultures – the third largest number of our community come from Hong Kong.
“Many children come to us not just new to school, but new to the country and with little English, so it’s important they feel safe and able to learn.
The school’s Big Curiculum for Little People aims to reflect the diversity of its youngsters, and explores cultures in creative and exciting ways.
“We want children to be able to learn about their own heritage as part of their education,” said Judy.
“This week, for example, they’re celebrating Lunar New Year by learning a Dragon Dance.”
Despite the fact that many children need help to learn English when they arrive, they rapidly learn to speak, read and write, with many examples of neat hand writing on display.
“We are so fortunate to have such wonderful staff,” said Judy.
“We will do anything it takes to make our children’s lives better, because that’s what matters.”
Teachers are helped by a substantial learning support team, and the school pays for visiting therapists to work with youngsters who have experienced significant trauma.
A number of neurodiverse youngsters are also creatively supported in tailored ways.
Judy and Stephanie believe in going the extra mile when it comes to children’s individual needs.
“We buy new uniforms for all those whose families are struggling,” Judy said.
“We give them new shoes, warm coats, pyjamas – we’ve even bought beds.”
She explained how recently one little girl’s school experience was supported by something as simple as the purchase of some dolls.
“Her family was experiencing a break-up, and she was very sad at school, so I asked her what we could do to help her feel better,” she said.
“She told me she liked to play with her Barbie dolls at home – and it was the easiest thing to pop online and buy some Barbies to help this little girl cope with her feelings at school enough to be able to enjoy learning again.
“Our children are truly amazing, and such a joy to serve.
“We genuinely love them and we know them all by name, all 298 of them.”
Due to a drop in the birthrate, Walter Infant and Nursery School currently has a few spaces available, and is able to consider applications from parents.
The school is a mixed gender, community school for three to seven year olds.
For information, visit: walter.wokingham.sch.uk
